Troops' accommodation 'disgraceful'

The "unacceptable" problems could take decades to fix because ministers have failed to ensure a clear strategy is in place, according to the Defence Select Committee.

The blunt assessment comes amid growing discontent in the forces over their treatment, with claims that the Military Covenant is being undermined.

Record numbers in the army and RAF have been choosing to quit early, and the UK military is nearly 6,000 below full strength as it juggles tough campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Although the MPs' investigation concluded that some newly-completed accommodation for single personnel was "magnificent", major problems were identified with other sites.

The facilities at Cavalry Barracks in Hounslow, west London - which houses 1st Battalion, the Royal Anglian Regiment - and Elizabeth Barracks in Pirbright, Surrey - which houses 1st Battalion, Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment - were condemned as "disgraceful".

At Hounslow some blocks had "overflowing drains and repairs which had been left unattended", while at Pirbright non-commissioner officers "slept eight to a room, with minimal privacy and negligible storage".

"We were told that soldiers from the Royal Anglians on deployment in Afghanistan had more comfortable accommodation than their comrades left behind in Pirbright," the committee said in its report.

The MPs insisted it was "unacceptable" that the Ministry of Defence had not put a clear strategy in place for tackling the issues, despite significant investment over recent years.

"Quite apart from this being poor management of property, accommodation is an important factor in retention, and the MoD must do more to address the condition of accommodation if it is not to lose experienced personnel who are very difficult to replace."