§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for the Environment, further to the reply of the Minister of State, Ministry of Defence, of 23 November 1978, on what date the Ministry of Defence handed over surplus married quarters at ex-RAF Thorney Island to the Property Services Agency; how many have been sold and what was the average price realised; how many have been let and how many have remained vacant; and, in respect of the latter, what has been the loss of revenue involved, taking current married quarters as a yardstick.
§ Mr. MarksA total of 226 surplus married quarters were passed to the Property Services Agency for disposal at various dates between April and November 1978 and all are vacant. None has been sold or let.
273WIt is the usual practice to sell such properties unencumbered by tenancies and so obtain the maximum receipt for public funds. The West Sussex county council has expressed an interest in buying Thorney Island, including the married quarters, but at present a possible future defence use is under consideration.