A councillor who was told that housing at HMS Gannet was riddled with asbestos and unfit for habitation says other avenues like static caravans should be considered for refugees.

Conservative Arthur Spurling said he raised the possibility of using the facilities for Afghan people fleeing the Taliban several weeks ago before the situation worsened, and prior to SNP MSP Siobhian Brown then making the same suggestion.

Now, the armed forces veteran has urged the authorities to examine every avenue, including hiring static caravans, to support those who have fled the Taliban.

The Kyle councillor, who spent 43 years as regular and reserve in the British Army and made the rank of Major,  has called for Afghans who worked with the UK military to be treated the same as returning soldiers.

Cllr Spurling said: “About six to eight weeks ago I had put to the council the fact that we could use HMS Gannet for this.

“I was told there are massive amounts of asbestos and that the building fabric has rotted out, and would have to be almost redone.

“The general decay of all the services that go to them would also have to be renewed. On top of that, they are all single accommodation.

“However, there is plenty of spare accommodation elsewhere which is not being filled at this moment.”

Cllr Spurling did not suggest any particular empty properties the council should examine. Among those most high profiles are the recently decanted high flats at the riverside in Ayr.

However, having been warned of the dangers and costs of using HMS Gannet, Cllr Spurling said he would be annoyed if there was a u-turn as a result of the same suggestion coming from an MSP.

He also insisted that recent council decisions highlighted the need for prioritisation.

He said: “Who are the most important people right now? Is it the people from Afghanistan who have nothing?

“Is it the travellers who have caravans, who move about and seem to have a lifestyle they like, or is it some of the people who have lost their jobs, who can’t afford to pay their mortgage, who could be made homeless?

“For me, the first are those from Afghanistan, a close second are the people who work and help our economy to grow. The third are the travellers. Priority should be where the need is. ”

The veteran is 100 per cent behind welcoming the Afghan refugees thanks to their efforts as allies.

He continued: “If we use people to accomplish what we are trying to do, then they are the same as our armed forces. As a consequence, we have a responsibility to them.

“We use them [militarily] in the exactly the same way our squaddies and sailors.

“It is wrong to turn away from them at this stage. We have got to provide accommodation to them.

“Why not look at static caravans. There are enough of them throughout Scotland. The government could rent all of these for the next year.

“If we can use them for a holiday, then the Afghans can use them to settle into a normal life, get back on their feet and then get houses somewhere in Scotland, in England. Somewhere in the United Kingdom.”

A spokesperson for South Ayrshire Council said: “The council has previous experience and a track record of supporting the Afghan Relocation Scheme.

“The meeting of South Ayrshire Council on June 24 agreed to further participation in the Afghan Relocation Scheme, by making initially up to three properties available within South Ayrshire to support the accelerated relocation of locally employed staff from Afghanistan.

“The process is currently underway to identify suitable properties and officers will continue to liaise with COSLA and the Home Office.”