HC Deb 20 July 1993 vol 229 cc182-3
4. Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by English local authority (a) the extent of land held by his Department and (b) the amount or proportion of such land (i) in respect of which agreement on sale has been completed and (ii) it is proposed to sell by the end of 1993.

Mr. Hanley

The total area of land held by the MOD in England on 1 April 1993 was 194,541 hectares, of which some 850 hectares has been, or is expected to be, sold in 1993. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will understand, as he asked for a breakdown for each local authority, that it would take me the rest of the day to give a full answer. I have, therefore, taken the opportunity to put the figures, by county, in the Library of the House.

Mr. Hughes

I am grateful to the Minister and I look forward to reading the figures. A parliamentary answer from the Minister last week showed that in the past four years the MOD's land holdings have increased by 1,242 hectares. There is enormous concern that the review of land holdings is not happening quickly enough. Counties such as Hampshire and adjacent counties in the south of England would benefit greatly if the land were released, thereby creating jobs and homes and allowing development to occur. It would also save the green belt and compensate for some of the jobs that are being lost in the defence-related industries.

Mr. Hanley

The hon. Gentleman makes a fair point. Every year we have to look at what land we need and take into account the draw back of battalions from Germany and how to house and train them. The purchase of land is, therefore, a fluid issue. It is matched by land sales, because we are deeply concerned about the taxpayers' interests, so we have to ensure that when land that is not in use becomes available for sale it is sold at the best price.

This year, we will be selling £68 million worth of land, and selling 2,050 married quarters and making 200 sales of houses to civilian tenants.

Mr. Wilkinson

My hon. Friend rightly refers to bringing British troops back from Germany. In that connection, will he please answer questions in future in acres, not hectares, so that we can better understand what he means? Will he recognise that the Russians have only 68,000 troops in the eastern part of Germany and that, we hope, by August of next year they will all be out? Would it not be wise to make land available in the United Kingdom for the eventual return of all British forces?

Mr. Hanley

My hon. Friend's latter point must certainly be kept under consideration, because it is important. As for his former point, there are 2.2 acres in each hectare. I know that there is a lot of nostalgia about these things in the House—my hon. Friend can use any measurements that he chooses.

Forward to