asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the difficulty encountered by married personnel at the Haulbowline Naval Base in securing suitable accommodation and if he has any proposals to provide married quarters at the base.
Written Answers. - Haulbowline Naval Personnel Accommodation.
291.
I am aware that there is a waiting list for other ranks' married quarters at the naval base.
Serving other ranks of the Permanent Defence Force, including Naval Service personnel, have equal claim on local authority houses with other members of the community in the same category.
The policy of my Department is to supplement the efforts of local authorities where the housing needs of other ranks are greater.
There is no site available at the naval base on which further married quarters could be built. As I indicated in reply to a Question on 27 February 1980 consideration is being given to the provision of a roadway between Haulbowline and Spike Island with a view to facilitating the expansion of the Naval Service. A consulting engineer has been commissioned to carry out a study to determine the feasibility and cost of constructing a bridge (or a causeway) between the two locations.
If and when it is decided to construct such a bridge (or causeway), the question of building new married quarters on Spike Island for personnel of the Naval Service will be considered.