CAB148-30-Defence and Oversea Policy Committee Meetings Relating to 1967 Disturbances-1967 — Page 72

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1967/68

requirements had been accelerated from 4,000 to 5,000 starts in the

Current year; 2,500 houses had been purchased, approved for purchase or

consideration were under construction against emergency requirements for forces other than those to be withdrawn from Germany; and a survey of houses or flats against a requirement of 2,700 for army forces from Germany would be completed by 3rd March. No difficulty was expected in meeting these

requirements and it now seemed clear that it would not be necessary to

make much use of temporary housing.

The barracks and family accommodation required for army units from

Germany would begin to be available in September this year and almost the whole of the requirement would be met by April 1968. As regards RAF

withdrawals there were to be discussions between the Ministry of Defence

and the Treasury about the timing of the return of the three Canberra

squadrons from Germany to this country. If this took place before the autumn of 1968, greater recourse would be necessary to emergency

accommodation for families with a substantial consequential increase in

cost and technical works services at a cost of £0.5 million would be

required.

The Committee

(1) Took note of the statements by the Foreign Secretary and

the Joint Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Local Government.

(2) Agreed that arrangements for the withdrawal of forces from

Germany should be planned on the assumption that agreement would be reached with our allies which would enable notice to those forces to be withdrawn to be given in May.

Cabinet Office, S.W.1. 24th February 1967

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