§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what plans he has to commission research into current planning guidance and practice on the disposal of his Department's sites and to investigate the wider social consequences of disposal; [1212]
(2) what plans he has to review the current policy for the disposal of surplus departmental land and sites; and if he will make a statement; [1218]
(3) if he will commission a research project to establish the total public costs and benefits of major disposals of his Department's property as an alternative to the present policy; and if he will make a statement. [1217]
§ Mr. SpellarOur policy is to dispose of surplus property in a timely manner which takes into account the Government's wider employment and environmental objectives, local planning and social considerations, and the need to protect the taxpayers interest. We are currently in discussions with the DoE on the broader planning and development policy context within which such disposal take place.
§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of his Department's houses are empty in each district council area in Hampshire. [1214]
§ Mr. SpellarMy Department has 1,225 empty houses in Hampshire. Of these, 133 are surplus agreed for disposal; 257 are allocated for deployments or individual moves; 340 are awaiting works/modernisation and 14 await furnishings.
A breakdown by district council area is as follows:
Number East Hampshire District Council 55 Eastleigh Borough Council 2 Fareham District Council 26 Gosport District Council 347 Hart District Council 103 Havant District Council 6 New Forest District Council 57 Portsmouth Unitary Authority 111 Rushmoor Borough Council 395 Test Valley Borough Council 73 Winchester District Council 50