HC Deb 12 December 1966 vol 738 cc25-7W
102. Mr. Mayhew

asked the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason he has postponed the release of land at

supplied by his Department since 20th July, 1966.

Mr. Edward Short

Certain postal tariffs and the poundage on some postal orders were increased on 3rd October. Full particulars were published in the OFFICIAL REPORT for 20th July, 1966.

In addition, the following increases in overseas telegraph charges were made under international accounting arrangements:

Kidbrooke, in the borough of Greenwich, to the Greater London Council.

Mr. Ennals

In 1961 it was decided to release 105 acres of Government land at Kidbrooke for housing. Certain R.A.F. units occupying 5 acres of land were then to move to the Woolwich Arsenal site. This move had to be changed in 1965, when it was decided to release the 1,000 acre site at Woolwich Arsenal for a major housing project. Accommodation for the R.A.F. units had therefore to be found elsewhere in Woolwich; the new buildings are expected to be ready by August 1968 for one unit and early 1969 for the other. There has been no change in this programme since September, 1965. Meanwhile certain adaptations of the R.A.F. buildings have been made which it is hoped will help the housing development to proceed. The delay in releasing the 5 acre site at Kidbrooke was caused by the release of the much larger 1,000 acre site at Woolwich for housing.

Mr. Hamling

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will now make a statement on the reasons for the delay in handing over surplus service land at Kidbrooke to the Greater London Council for the building of houses.

Mr. Ennals

I would refer my hon. Friend to my earlier Answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Woolwich, East (Mr. Mayhew).