The Opposition is "out of touch" according to Minister of Home Affairs David Burch.

Minister Burch was responding to comments made by Shadow Finance Minister Bob Richards about the purchase of the Harmony Club to house Police recruits. Last week Mr. Richards said he was concerned about the $6.25 million price tag and the haphazard method of housing Police officers.

Yesterday, Minister Burch said Mr. Richards' comments were "typical" and the emphasis should be on how the housing will benefit Bermudians.

"The Shadow Minister's remarks concerning the purchase of the former Harmony Club are unfortunate, but typical and demonstrate that the Opposition is simply out of touch," he said.

"As I said in my remarks last week, the people of Bermuda will benefit tremendously from this arrangement. This deal guarantees that we have somewhere to house much needed policemen and other professionals who we are forced to recruit from overseas.

"More importantly this means that these workers will not be competing with hard-working Bermudians for one and two bedroom apartments, which are the units most in demand."

The Harmony Club hotel in Paget, which stopped operating two years ago when money to invest in the property could not be found, was bought by Government for $6.25 million.

After short-listing Government areas in need of housing, the Bermuda Police Service was identified and it will take-up the three building property with 40 large hotel-style rooms, and a swimming pool in July.

Yesterday Mr. Richards said, however, that the price tag seemed exorbitant and as Shadow Finance Minister he must question purchases of this size.

"I know that they had to find accommodation and at least it looks like after promising for four or five years they have found Police recruits. It's nothing to brag about. It's long overdue," he said. "The property was not earning a penny for two years. How was that price negotiated? Was any evaluation made?

"As Shadow Minister I have to make sure the Government is spending appropriately. The sellers had few options.

"It showed how poor the state of tourism is in Bermuda if a hotel in Bermuda cannot get financing to reopen.

"It would a good thing if the Government could tell us how they bought this property for this sum. Nobody's saying they shouldn't be in barracks but the Government's responsibility is more than that."

The Ministry of Housing, through the Bermuda Housing Corporation, made the offer of more than $6 million for the property, which will come out of the Housing budget, of $65 million.

Last night Minister Burch said the property would be renovated and when the first recruits arrive in July, it will be ready for them as well as healthcare professionals. Minister Burch added: "I remember Mr. Richards saying in the Senate that one could be mistaken for thinking that the crane was our national bird.

"Yet, when a housing solution that doesn't involve another crane is presented he is the first to criticise it and so for me to hear such condemning comments is unfortunate but typical.

"There is more to an effective housing policy than bricks and mortar and positively affecting the economy in favour of Bermudian families of all varieties is equally important."