§ Mr. ViggersTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the implementation of long-term plans at the Greenwich Hospital site under section 26 of the Armed Forces Act 1996. [46650]
§ Dr. ReidI assume the question refers to section 30 of the Armed Forces Act 1996. The section requires my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence to have regard to the heritage of the Royal Naval College site at Greenwich, the desirability of securing reasonable public access to it, and to prevent use out of keeping with its unique history and character. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence hopes soon to be able to conclude a head lease with the Greenwich Foundation, an independent charitable trust, whose intentions for the site are entirely consistent with Section 30(2). The plans for10W the future of the site, which include planned occupation by the University of Greenwich, are being developed by the Foundation in consultation with my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Culture, Media and Sport and for Defence.