HL Deb 15 December 1992 vol 541 cc30-1WA
Lord Northbourne

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was the amount of the standard spending assessment and the amount of the actual or budgeted expenditure relating to personal social services for each of the years from 1989–90 to 1992–93 in respect of the following local authorities:

  1. (i) Manchester,
  2. (ii) Bury,
  3. (iii) Solihull,
  4. (iv) Newcastle,
  5. (v) Tower Hamlets

Baroness Cumberlege

The information requested is in the table:

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Viscount Cranborne)

Following the announcement in August 1992 of the RAF decision not to relocate to Bentwaters and Woodbridge we have been examining alternative defence uses for the two bases. It is unlikely that any long term defence requirement will be found although an Army requirement has been identified for the married quarters at RAF Woodbridge. I expect to make decisions on the extent to which the two bases are surplus to defence requirements very shortly. In parallel, considerable progress has been made in consultation with the local authorities to determine the future use of Bentwaters and Woodbridge if they are declared surplus to requirements. Considerable information has already been assembled to meet the requirements of the local authorities and it would be our aim to continue to work closely with them in formulating policies for these sites within the context of the regional planning framework. I would hope such policies would be forthcoming well in advance of the bases' closure by September 1993. parallel, considerable progress has been made in consultation with the local authorities to determine the future use of Bentwaters and Woodbridge if they are declared surplus to requirements. Considerable information has already been assembled to meet the requirements of the local authorities and it would be our aim to continue to work closely with them in formulating policies for these sites within the context of the regional planning framework. I would hope such policies would be forthcoming well in advance of the bases' closure by September 1993.