HC Deb 06 March 1967 vol 742 cc1029-30
15. Mr. Goodhart

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how much money his Department spent on construction in Malta in 1965 and 1966.

Mr. Prentice

My Department spent £486,000 on construction in Malta in 1965–66 and expenditure is estimated at £400,000 in the current financial year.

Mr. Goodhart

When we run out of accommodation in this country for the troops returning from Aden, the Far East and Germany, will the Minister remember that we have excellent barracks standing empty in Malta?

Mr. Prentice

I think that that is an attempt to turn a serious subject into a rather cheap debating point. The problems in Malta are very serious and are being discussed at the moment between the British and the Maltese Governments I do not think that the situation is helped by that sort of question.