HC Deb 14 July 1997 vol 298 cc6-7
3. Sir Teddy Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of Horseshoe barracks in Shoeburyness. [6509]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mr. John Spellar)

Horseshoe barracks has been closed for some years and will be made available for sale within the next 18 months as it is no longer required by my Department.

Sir Teddy Taylor

In view of the high unemployment in my constituency and the depressing news about further job losses in the Shoebury ranges, will the Government ensure that there is no undue delay and commit themselves to ensuring that that magnificent site is used to reinvigorate the economy of Shoeburyness and does not simply become another house building site?

Mr. Spellar

As the hon. Member is aware, the joint working group was established last year to co-ordinate the sale and development of the site. That, as he knows, includes the Ministry of Defence, Essex county council and Southend-on-Sea borough council. Obviously we encouraged them to work as fast as possible to make the site ready for development.

The hon. Gentleman must be fully aware that we must obtain the best price for the property for the taxpayer, but we fully intend to work with local authorities and others to ensure that our attempts to meet that objective do not conflict with meeting our wider employment and environmental objectives, or with local planning and social considerations. I hope that the local authorities, working with the hon. Gentleman, will be able to argue those points strongly so that we can reach an agreed conclusion on the development of that important site.

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