HC Deb 22 February 1977 vol 926 cc1208-9
10. Mr. Lipton

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what use will be made of the Millbank premises in Westminster when the Queen Alexandra Military Hospital is closed down.

Mr. Robert C. Brown

That part of the premises which lies to the north of the Tate Gallery and contains the hospital is to be made available to the Tate Gallery Trustees. That part which lies to the south and on which stands the Royal Army Medical College is being retained by the Ministry of Defence, although the long-term use for some of it has yet to be determined.

Mr. Lipton

Would it not be better to pull down the Queen Alexandra Military Hospital as well as the Tate Gallery and to put in its place a swimming pool, a gymnasium, a place for children to exercise—

Mr. Speaker

Order. This is not suggestion time. It is Question Time.

Mr. Lipton

I have many more suggestions to make.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Gentleman can make them after Question Time.

Mr. Lipton

Will my hon. Friend give consideration to the comprehensive development of this very valuable site in the heart of London?

Mr. Brown

My hon. Friend has made some interesting proposals, but the demolition of the Tate is not within my remit. Since my hon. Friend has so many suggestions to make, he may wish to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

Mr. Buck

Is there not great concern about the future of the Royal Army Medical Corps relative to the support that it is able to give to Army families, especially those who serve in Northern Ireland? There is a great deal of concern about the closure of the Queen Alexandra Military Hospital, and even more concern about the proposed closure of the Colchester Military Hospital, the abolition of which will mean that there will be no proper facilities for military families serving in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Brown

I am sure that the hon. Gentleman would not expect me to go into what is happening at Colchester, since it is far removed from this Question. I accept the expression of concern made by the hon. Gentleman about the closure of the hospital at Millbank. He knows that we have excellent facilities in Woolwich, which will come into use this year.

Mr. Lipton

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. At the urgent request of my hon. Friend the Minister, I beg to ask leave to raise this matter on the Adjournment.

Mr. Hugh Jenkins

Further to that point of order—

Mr. Speaker

There can be no further point of order.

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