The former police station in Lord Street, Douglas, would make prime office accommodation, says Home Affairs Minister Bill Malarkey.

Mr Malarkey was asked about the future of the building, which closed down as a police station last year.

The decision to close the station, as a cost-saving measure, was taken under the previous government.

Mr Malarkey confirmed that ownership was transferring to the Department of Infrastructure.

Responding to a Tynwald question from David Ashford (Douglas North), the minister said he understood the DoI had identified the building as offering ’good quality’ office accommodation.

He admitted, however, that he was not aware of any business expressing an interest in the site.

Currently, he said, Isle of Man Transport was using the ground floor and part of the first floor.

This, he said, was a good example of the government policy of, where possible, not using rented accommodation.

Mr Malarkey’s predecessor Juan Watterson asked whether an alternative location had been found to maintain a police presence in central Douglas.

’Not at this time,’ Mr Malarkey said, ’but it is something we are looking at.’

When he was minister, Mr Watterson said that by closing down the police station at Lord Street, it freed up the site for potential redevelopment.

But he also said that a police presence would be maintained in central Douglas.

In the House of Keys last year, Mr Watterson said there was still £2.2 million outstanding in loan charges on the site.