HC Deb 18 January 1996 vol 269 cc735-6W
Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much money has been authorised for improvements to his Department's married housing stock since 28 November 1995. [9959]

Mr. Soames

This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The department continues to maintain, and improve as necessary, all the housing stock for which it has a longer-term requirement.

Mr. Spellar

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy in respect of the married quarters discounted sales scheme. [10033]

Mr. Soames

The Government are committed to ensuring that service personnel get a fair deal in housing terms and the MOD has a number of initiatives to encourage home ownership. Surplus married quarters are sold to service personnel at a 30 per cent. discount on the market value of the property. At the inception of the scheme, it was based on local authority right to buy schemes. Successful applicants are selected by length of service. The scheme is very popular with as many as 60 to 100 applications being received for many of the properties offered for sale. The future of the scheme is being evaluated in the context of the proposals to transfer the married quarters estate to the private sector.