HC Deb 08 March 1961 vol 636 c443
12. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty for what sum he sold the pier at Holy Loch; and what sum he paid for it when he repurchased it.

Mr. C. Ian Orr-Ewing

Ardnadam Pier, to which I assume the hon. Member's Question refers, has not at any time been sold by the Admiralty and the question therefore of repurchase does not arise.

Mr. Hughes

Has not there been some mysterious transaction involving expenditure of public money?

Mr. Orr-Ewing

I do not think that the transaction is mysterious. We are entering into negotiations—they are not absolutely finalised—to purchase the pier for use in Holy Loch, in which the hon. Gentleman takes a keen interest. There is nothing mysterious about this. We hope to recover the cost of this from the United States Navy.

Mr. Hughes

I ask the hon. Gentleman to give us a little more information-He is obviously trying to hide something. What is it?

Mr. Orr-Ewing

I am not trying to hide anything. The point is that the final legal arrangements are not yet completed. Under those circumstances, I do not want to answer a question which refers to selling a pier which we never had and repurchasing a pier which we have never sold.