Dr. Bennettasked the Minister of Health when the Royal Pier Hotel, Southsea, was first requisitioned by his Department; for what purpose it has been intended; to what extent it has been used; what has been the cost of this hotel up to date; and whether he will release it for its designed purpose.
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§ Mr. Iain MacleodThe Royal Pier Hotel, Southsea, has not been requisitioned by my Department, but was purchased in July, 1950, for use mainly as a nurses' home and preliminary training school by St. James' Hospital, Portsmouth. The purchase price was £46,500, and a further £13,661 has been spent on adaptations and redecorations.
The Mental Health Department of Portsmouth Corporation rent part of the premises at a rental of £500 per annum, and the net cost of maintaining the premises up to December, 1952, was £127 12s. 8d. I am informed that owing to altered circumstances the South-West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board is now considering the use of the hotel for the accommodation of nurses from both St. James' Hospital and other Portsmouth hospitals, and I am pressing them to take early action.