TNAG-0537-FCO40-632-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 100

CONFIDENTIAL

2ND DRAFT

Family Welfare

24. The report of the Naval Welfare Committee, under Lord Seebohm,

was published in February 1974. Its key recommendation, to build up

a professionally-staffed social service to encompass all aspects of

welfare for Naval personnel and their families, has been accepted

and the professional head of the organisation was appointed in

November 1974. Many of the Committee's other recommendations are

being implemented; others are still under consideration.

25.

The setting up of an Army Welfare Inquiry Committee was

announced in the House in the Defence Debate on 13 May 1974. The

Committee, under the Chairmanship of Professor J C Spencer, is well

advanced with its task of reviewing welfare provision for Army

personnel and their families in the United Kingdom, and hopes to

report late in 1975.

26. In the meantime, Unit Families Officers with a special

responsibility for family welfare (and formerly confined to infantry

battalions) are to be introduced in all major and minor Field

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Force Units. The Housing Commandant Organisation, which has proved

so successful in the United Kingdom, has been extended to the

British Army of the Rhine.

Cyprus

27. Special arrangements were made to assist with the many

administrative and domestic problems arising out of the evacuation

of families from Cyprus.

Improvements of Conditions for Troops in Northern Ireland

28. A great deal of effort is being devoted to improving the

emergency accommodation and general amenities for troops in Northern

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CONFIDENTIAL