§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action he has taken to ensure that sale by tender or auction is not the invariable method of approved disposal where another method would achieve better value; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SoamesIt is our normal practice to dispose of the freehold of surplus land—in which there is no former owner of pre-emptive interest—on the open market by competition, so as to maximise the financial return. A range of other methods may, however, be used if718W professional advice indicates that such alternatives would produce a better value.