Royal Naval College, Greenwich

HC Deb 02 May 1995 vol 259 cc197-8W

30. Mr. Raynsford

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about future use of the historic buildings at Greenwich currently occupied by the Royal Naval college. [20105]

Mr. Freeman

As we have previously made clear, we do not intend to reach any firm conclusions on the future of the Royal Naval college, Greenwich at this stage, but will shortly be seeking expressions of interest in the site from organisations able to propose uses sympathetic to the character of the buildings.

A campaign will be launched in the next few weeks, about which we are consulting English Heritage and the local planning authorities, with a view to defining suitable alternative uses and maintenance arrangements. We shall consult further with these bodies later in the year when we come to evaluate the expressions of interest submitted as a result of the campaign.

We hope to be in a position to make an announcement on the future of Greenwich by the end of the year.