HC Deb 19 December 1995 vol 268 c1105W
Mr. Clifton-Brown

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the steps to be taken following receipt of expressions of interest in the buildings of the Royal Naval college, Greenwich. [7199]

Mr. Portillo

In my capacity as sole trustee of the Crown charity, Greenwich hospital, and with the agreement of my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for National Heritage and for the Environment, I have invited Lord Faringdon, Dame Jennifer Jenkins, Lord Sainsbury and Jocelyn Stevens to form an advisory group to advise me on the expressions of interest and on the future use and management of the Royal Naval college, Greenwich. Hayden Phillips and Sir Moray Stewart—from the Department of National Heritage and the Ministry of Defence—would also participate in the work of the group.

It will be asked to give particular attention to the extent to which the proposals are sympathetic to the status of the building and their wide enjoyment by the public. A short list may be produced early in the new year; a final decision is not expected until summer 1996.