HC Deb 01 August 1962 vol 664 cc567-8
20. Mr. Hayman

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty whether he will make a statement showing the number of houses built by the Admiralty within the Borough of Helston for naval personnel at Culdrose Airfield; what was their cost; how many such houses are proposed to be built; when they are to be built; and what will be their cost.

Mr. C. Ian Orr-Ewing

The Admiralty has built 230 houses within the Borough of Helston for naval personnel at R.N. Air Station, Culdrose, at a cost of £580,000.

We plan to build a further 228 houses at a cost of about £600,000. We hope these will be started in about twelve months' time and completed in the spring of 1965.

Mr. Hayman

Will the Civil Lord take account of the fact that the Admiralty's first suggestion that some of these new houses, or the whole of them, should be built in Camborne—Redruth seemed a very sensible one? In view of the fact that these houses will be a century investment, that disarmament will come at some time—in our time we hope—that the population of Camborne—Redruth is five times that of Helston, and that recently his own Government decided to cut off the branch line to Helston, will he reconsider the proposition?

Mr. Orr-Ewing

We always wanted to build at Helston and we have re-examined this matter and think that it is now the right decision. I think that Cam-borne is a good deal further away than Culdrose and that if the 'branch line is not to be run the roads will be even more crowded and the difference in travelling time will be greater still.

Mr. G. R. Howard

Does my hon. Friend agree that it was the Minister of Housing and Local Government who in the first place suggested that the houses should be built at Camborne? Is he aware that in the winter it would mean half an hour's drive for personnel going to and from Culdrose whereas, from the present housing estate, it is only five minutes, and that in the summer it would mean anything between three-quarters of an hour and an hour's drive to get there?

Mr. Orr-Ewing

I think that is a very good justification for building the houses at Helston.

Mr. Hayman

I beg to give notice that, as the answer is so unsatisfactory, I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.