HC Deb 14 June 1993 vol 226 c474W
Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 31 March,Official Report, column 197, what progress has been made in the establishment of a non-profit-making housing trust; and what representations he has received on this matter.

Mr. Hanley

Good progress has been made. My Department has now engaged the services of Major General (Retired) J. F. J. Johnston CB CBE, to act as a consultant to the Department as the chairman (designate) of the embryo housing trust. In broad terms, his task will be to develop an organisation which would be capable of receiving the married quarters estate from the Department and providing a housing service to meet the requirements of the services. This will provide the opportunity to develop a coherent long-term policy for the Department's married quarters estate.

My Department has received no representations on the matter since 31 March.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for defence, pursuant to his answer of 22 April,Official Report, column 193, on how many occasions in the last year negotiations with housing associations relating to the sale of married quarters have been terminated due to the inability of housing associations to secure the necessary funding.

Mr. Hanley

My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence will write to the hon. Member.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the housing associations that have purchased MOD married quarters, and the housing associations that have expressed an interest in the purchase of MOD married quarters.

Mr. Hanley

My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence will write to the hon. Member.