HC Deb 11 December 1963 vol 686 c393
25. Mr. Buck

asked the Secretary of State for War what decision has been arrived at in consultation with the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes with regard to the future of the former Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes club in Colchester.

Mr. Kirk

As my hon. Friend was told in the letter my office sent him on 16th September, this club was built by the N.A.A.F.I. on land within the garrison area leased from the War Department in 1946. N.A.A.F.I. has since ceased to run the club and the building is now unused. The Army could use this building in the short term and we are negotiating with the N.A.A.F.I. for the termination of the lease.

Mr. Buck

Is not my hon. Friend aware that these large and valuable premises have now been empty and idle for over two and a half years? Can he tell us the cause of the hold-up and why they have been kept so long without being utilised for any purpose, either military or civil?

Mr. Kirk

We are negotiating with the N.A.A.F.I. a suitable price on which we could take them over. The difficulty of turning these buildings over to civilian use is that they are in the middle of barracks.

Mr. Buck

But what is the hold-up? Why have not the N.A.A.F.I. and the War Office been able to sort out this matter in two and a half years?

Mr. Kirk

We have not been able to agree on a price.