MP Andrew Turner has confronted the government about the future of Osborne House, a former military convalescent home on the Isle of Wight.

Conservative backbencher Mr Turner wants the government to restore the King Edward VII Convalescent Home for Officers - or change the law so the "wonderful asset" can be utilised.

Under the Osborne Estate Act 1902, the building must be used for the benefit of "officers of Her Majesty's naval and military forces and their wives, and other former servants of the Crown."

But after the home closed in 2000, Osborne House has not be used.

Mr Turner told arts minister Estelle Morris that it was a "wasted opportunity to generate wealth and jobs for the Isle of Wight".

He said: "This has been going on for far too long. The closure of the convalescence home was announced in May 1999 and I have been asking questions of ministers about its intended future use ever since I was elected in 2001.

"The government needs to make a decision rather than letting this valuable resource go to waste. Whatever that decision, I want to know that the use to which the former convalescent home premises will be put to will not just be an appendage to the existing Osborne House experience, but will generate wealth and long-term employment."