former US Base for low income families, the House of Assembly was told yesterday.

That was the opinion of departing US Naval Air Station personnel, Finance Minister the Hon. Grant Gibbons told MPs.

He said it would be wrong to move people about "like pawns'', and many of the homes were sub-standard, with wooden frames in poor condition.

Dr. Gibbons made the comments during the Throne Speech debate in the House of Assembly in response to Opposition criticism of Government plans to demolish some of the homes because of the high cost of renovating them.

The Progressive Labour Party has called for them to be used instead for low cost housing, and has questioned Government's assessment of their quality.

Last night, Dr. Gibbons said it would be wasteful to use the homes and the land on which they stand for low-cost homes when they could be used for boosting the economy.

Turning them over to low-income families, would be akin to eating "seed corn'', he said. "You don't get a return on your investment.'' In addition, said Dr. Gibbons, residents in St. George's and St. David's had made it clear they did not want low-cost homes on their doorstep.

But Shadow Finance Minister Mr. Eugene Cox questioned why Base properties could not be used for young people needing a house for the first time.

His comments echoed those of Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade, who on Thursday suggested that the planned demolition of the homes was politically motivated.

Mr. Wade said he suspected that United Bermuda Party officials did not want low income families and likely PLP supporters moving into the St. George's South constituency which is held by the UBP but is considered marginal.

But St. George's South MP Mr. Rick Spurling backed Dr. Gibbons, saying it would be wrong to concentrate low-income families in one particular area. This would make them even more depressed.

"They should be spread throughout the community,'' he said, adding this would help to uplift them.

He also said other PLP proposals for the Base lands had already been put in train by the Government.

Commenting on calls for the area to be used as a magnet for small businesses, he said: "The Broad Use Plan embraces the concept of enticing small businesses, and introducing a licensing procedure.'' The plan also envisaged some of the lands being used for sports and recreation, another PLP proposal.

And he applauded the idea of a fishing centre as well, but asked: "Where will the money come from?''