§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a)service personnel and (b)other Ministry of Defence employees are living in privately rented accommodation in the Greater Portsmouth area; and at what cost to his Department. [164618]
§ Mr. CaplinSubstitute Service Accommodation is provided when there is insufficient Service family housing or single living accommodation of the appropriate type to meet demand in the area. As at 31 March 2004, there are 100 service personnel living in privately rented accommodation in the Portsmouth area at a total cost of £82,000 per month.
For other Ministry of Defence employees their accommodation requirements are an individual responsibility, although the Department does, in certain circumstances, pay specific allowances to support its civilian staff when they are relocated.