HC Deb 30 April 1957 vol 569 c22
40. Mr. Peyton

asked the Secretary of State for War what use has been made during recent years of certain premises at Ilminster owned by the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes; and what offers to purchase those premises have been received.

The Under-Secretary of State for War (Mr. Julian Amery)

These matters are the responsibility of the Board of Management of N.A.A.F.I., and I am passing on my hon. Friend's Question to it.

Mr. Peyton

Will my hon. Friend use his very considerable influence to bring N.A.A.F.I. to some sort of sensible appreciation of the facts? Here it has an entirely useless brick shell building for which, I understand, no use has been found in recent years. Will he use that influence to get N.A.A.F.I. to sell at a reasonable price? I ask this Question particularly at this time in view of considerable industrial development in the town.

Mr. Amery

I will certainly see that my hon. Friend's supplementary question is brought to the attention of N.A.A.F.I.

Mr. H. Hynd

I am puzzled by the Under-Secretary's reply. Is it not customary for the War Office to answer questions about N.A.A.F.I., as it has a direct representative on the Board?

Mr. Amery

No, Sir. Our responsibility for N.A.A.F.I. is for the broad lines of policy, but we abstain from intervening in matters of detail.