§ Lord Beaumont of Whitleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the sale of surplus service married quarters could not be undertaken at least as cost-effectively and with more care for the environment if undertaken by the Defence Estates Organisation (DEO) referred to on 18th June (WA 22) instead of by the private sector or whether they have any reason to be dissatisfied with the record of the DEO.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Earl Howe)Under the terms of the sale of the married quarters estate, we shall be able to dispose of surplus properties by simply terminating the relevant underlease at six month's notice. We believe that this mechanism will ensure a much quicker, simpler and more efficient release of surplus quarters in future.