[holding answer 4 February 2008]: The standard of single living accommodation (SLA) is assessed by grade for charge (GfC)—a measure of the physical condition of the accommodation and other relevant environmental and scaling factors. SLA bed-spaces in each country in which UK forces are deployed are at the following GfC:
Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Germany 2,356 1,494 4,186 8,989 Cyprus 67 14 534 882 Falklands/Ascension Islands 14 — — 6,105 Gibraltar 325 24 41 — Rest of World 34 62 87 2,014
The low grade given to SLA in the South Atlantic Islands for example, reflects the remote location and environmental factors rather than the actual condition of the accommodation which is considered reasonable.
It should be noted that a large proportion of overseas SLA is only used during operational deployments. Although much of this accommodation is G4fC, residents are not charged for it.
In Cyprus, some 650 bed-spaces will be upgraded by 2012 for use on a permanent basis. In addition, there are ongoing programmes of improvement work in all the above locations including the Hired Accommodation Revitalisation Programme project, which aims to replace or upgrade the entire hired estate in Germany over the next five years.
Over the next decade the MOD will spend over £8 billion on accommodation, including some £3.1 billion on bringing accommodation up to the top condition. This will include the delivery of some further 30,000 new or improved SLA bed-spaces by 2013.