HC Deb 04 April 1995 vol 257 c1098W
Mr. Brazier

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Government have decided on the appointment of a financial advisor to carry forward the sale of the married quarter estate. [17349]

Mr. Soames

As I said in my answer to the hon. Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark) on 22 March,Official Report, columns 216–18, we intend to develop proposals for the possible transfer of the married quarters estate to the private sector, on the basis of initial work undertaken for us last autumn by NatWest Markets. We are close to completing the competitive selection of financial advisers to assist us in this process.

Mr. Beith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 16 December 1994,Official Report, column 819, when he now expects the surplus married quarters in Lacey street, Northumberland to be (a) sold or (b) made available for housing purposes. [18239]

Mr. Soames

Twelve surplus married quarters in Lacey street, Longhoughton, have been advertised for sale through the services discount scheme. The remaining 14 properties will be offered for sale in the same way if sufficient interest is demonstrated during the sale of the first phase. Any properties not taken up under the scheme will be offered for sale either to a housing association or on the open market.