asked the Minister for Defence the number of houses which are regarded as being within barracks and the number of houses outside the confines of barracks in all command areas; and if he will stipulate the rights tenants have in both situations, either as serving members of the Defence Forces or as retired members.

The total number of soldiers' married quarters is as follows: within barracks — 353; outside barracks — 232. Married quarters are allocated by the military authorities in accordance with Defence Forces regulations. Persons to whom quarters are allocated are not tenants — legally they are permissive occupants — and are obliged to vacate quarters on being discharged from the Permanent Defence Force or transferred to the reserve.

The need for my tabling that question arose from the announcement by the Minister's colleague, the Minister for the Environment, of the latest tenant purchase scheme. There are a large number of people who are either serving in the Defence Forces, or who have served in that force and who are now retired, who are totally unaware of their rights in regard to house ownership and tenancy. It appears from what the Minister has now said that such people can never own houses irrespective of the length of their tenancy.

There is a separate question about the tenant purchase scheme No. 24.

Can we proceed to deal now with questions nominated for priority, Question No. 24 in the name of the same Deputy.