§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many acres of land in Plymouth and the surrounding area in the ownership of his Department are surplus to requirements; and if he will make a statement on his plans for their disposal.
§ Mr. FreemanAs my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced last November, we are planning to dispose of a number of sites in the Plymouth area over the next few years. Some 70 acres are involved including the Royal William yard. Devonport Management Ltd. has also indicated that part of the area licensed from the Ministry of Defence in south yard can also be released. We are in discussion with Plymouth city council and have already agreed to work with it in planning the release of land, which will be sold on the open market, to support the concept of comprehensive redevelopment of the Stonehouse bay area. We have engaged consultants to advise us in this work and hope to make very early progress.