§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many times since 1997 his Department has used confidentiality as a reason for not revealing details in connection with selling sites for development; what they were, and with which companies; and if he will make a statement. [90129]
§ Dr. MoonieThere have been cases in the past when, on grounds of commercial confidentiality, the Ministry of Defence has withheld information relating to the disposal sale price. Since 1999 it has been departmental policy to require all purchasers of surplus MOD land and property to be told, in writing, that the final sale price will be made known to any party who, in the future, requests that information. However, bidders/purchasers may still refuse consent to the sale price being made public on the grounds of commercial confidentiality.
Specific details of the cases for which such information has been withheld are not held centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.