§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provisions his Department is making to ensure the future protection and maintenance of redundant historic buildings.
§ Mr. HanleyRedundant historic buildings are secured in a wind and weathertight condition during the period when they are out of use pending the earliest possible disposal to new owners for suitable alternative use.
§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department is taking to mitigate the consequences on local economies of the programme of closure and disposal of redundant properties.
§ Mr. HanleyMy Department's primary reason for disposing of redundant properties is to ensure that the most cost-effective use is made of available resources. When a site is, however, identified for disposal, local planning authorities are consulted to establish what other use might be made of the property in question. We do, of course, give as much assistance as possible to individual employees who might be affected by any closure.