HC Deb 12 July 1994 vol 246 c533W
Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date information was provided to the hon. R. Philipps or Crown Ridge Industries Ltd., on the details of(a) RAF Hendon (East Camp) and (b) Peninsula barracks, Winchester.

Mr. Hanley

In addition to being available from other sources, details of my Department's sites are widely disseminated by officials to many companies and individuals and no central records are maintained. As far as can be ascertained, however, no specific details of RAF Hendon (East Camp) or Peninsula barracks have been supplied to the hon. Rhodri Philipps and/or Crownridge Industries.

The hon. R. Philipps was, however, provided in October 1993 with a list which is available to the public on request, naming all major sites in disposal or coming up for disposal. This is likely to have included brief details of Peninsula barracks and RAF Hendon (East Camp).

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what dates the decisions were made(a) to dispose of Peninsula barracks, Winchester and (b) to invite tenders.

Mr. Hanley

The initial decision to vacate and dispose of Peninsula barracks was made in 1980, but this was dependent upon reprovision of the barracks on a green field site north of Winchester. Occupation of the new barracks started in 1986 and vacation of Peninsula barracks was completed in 1988.

The site was initially marketed in July 1988, but the developer selected went into liquidation in 1990. The MOD with the Crown Estate, as joint owners of the site, pursued the planning application submitted by this developer and finally obtained planning permission in September 1993.

Peninsula barracks was remarketed in January 1994 and an offer for the freehold was accepted in June 1994.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what dates the decisions were made(a) to dispose of RAF Hendon (East Camp), and (b) to invite tenders.

Mr. Hanley

The initial decision to dispose of RAF Hendon (East Camp) was made in 1988 and the site has been marketed since 1989. Since that time some 7 acres of the site have been sold and a further five acres provisionally allocated for the use of the adjoining RAF museum.

The remainder of the site was remarketed in January 1994, with a closing date for informal tenders of 31 March 1994.