HL Deb 17 July 2000 vol 615 cc71-2WA
Lord Brabazon of Tara

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What plans they have for the future of the apartments at Osborne House, Isle of Wight, currently occupied by the King Edward VII convalescent home; and [HL2851]

What plans they have to fulfil the undertaking made to Parliament by the Minister of State at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Mr. Howarth, on 4 February 1999 (H.L. Deb., col. 694) to keep the convalescent home at Osborne House open until Parliament approves its closure by amending the Osborne Estate Act 1902, given the decision of the Civil Service Benevolent Fund to cease to operate it. [HL2852]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

Following the decision of the Civil Service Benevolent Fund to withdraw from the contract to run the King Edward VII convalescent home on behalf of my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport we have concluded that it would not be sensible, appropriate or cost-effective to enter into an agreement with another organisation to run the home while we await Parliament's approval to repeal the relevant provision of the Osborne Estate Act 1902.

The convalescent home will therefore close on 31 October 2000. The accommodation will remain out of use at least until December 2001 to allow English Heritage to complete, in the most efficient and cost-effective way, the restoration and repair of the external fabric of the building.

My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport is considering how he should meet his responsibility after December 2001 to devote part of Osborne House for the benefit of the Armed Forces and the Civil Service—which is not specified as the running of a convalescent home—for such time as that statutory requirement is in force.