HC Deb 10 February 1995 vol 254 cc461-3W
Mr. Insley

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what Treasury rules prohibit the lease of the RAF hospital, Wroughton.

Mr. Soames

Treasury guidelines require that once land or property has been identified as surplus to defence requirements, it should be disposed of within three years. These guidelines further state that sale rather than lease should be the rule unless there are strong reasons to the contrary. Where outright sale is impractical, however, it would be our normal practice to consider a lease, among other options, pending a longer-term solution to the problem.

Mr. Illsley

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for how long he intends to lease the RAF hospital, Wroughton, to the Princess Margaret hospital, Swindon, after April 1996.

Mr. Soames

We are aware of the interest expressed by the Princess Margaret hospital Swindon—Swindon and Marlborough NHS trust—and have held preliminary discussions with it regarding its wish to make use of the Princess Alexandra RAF hospital, Wroughton, when it closes in March 1996. Formal negotiations have not yet begun, however, and it is too early to say what the outcome might be.

Mr. Illsley

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the possible future use of the land and buildings at the RAF hospital, Wroughton after April 1996.

Mr. Soames

Discussions are taking place with Swindon and Marlborough NHS trust regarding the continued use of Wroughton hospital for medical purposes. My Department is well aware of the sensitive nature of the site, which is an area of outstanding natural beauty. It is too early to consider alternative uses, but should that become necessary we would liaise closely with the local authority, in accordance with our normal practice.

Mr.Illsley

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) national health service patients were treated at RAF hospital, Wroughton, during the last five years and (b) beds were required at the RAF hospital, Wroughton by the Princess Margaret hospital, Swindon, during each of the last five years.

Mr. Soames

The total numbers of NHS in-patient, and day-patient attendances at the Princess Alexandra's Royal Air Force hospital, Wroughton, in the years in question are as follows:

  • 1989–90: 22,213
  • 1990–91: 17,703
  • 1991–92: 19,505
  • 1992–93: 17,794
  • 1993–94: 21,577

Figures for the number of beds at Wroughton required by the Princess Margaret hospital, Swindon, are not available for the entire period. In 1994 and 1995, however, some beds at the Princess Alexandra's hospital have been made available to the Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust for a period of seven and a half and 12 weeks respectively.

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