Leg across always in cramped quarters (8)
I believe the answer is:
steerage
'cramped quarters' is the definition.
(cheapest accommodation on a ship)
'leg across always' is the wordplay.
'leg' becomes 'stage' (synonyms).
'across' indicates putting letters inside.
'always' becomes 'eer' (poetic way of saying ever).
'stage' placed around 'eer' is 'STEERAGE'.
'in' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for steerage that I've seen before include "Cheapest classes" , "It's the cheapest way to go by sea" , "Cheapest part of liner" , "Cheapest area on ship" , "Formerly cheapest space on board" .)