HC Deb 29 March 1995 vol 257 c693W
Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who holds the lease of Old Sarum airfield; when the lease was granted and for how long; and whether the terms of the lease permit the cessation of flying activity and the development of the airfield for housing and industrial use. [16855]

Mr. Soames

The lease of Old Sarum airfield is held by two parties, Blane Field Investments Ltd.—the major leaseholder—and Old Sarum Park Properties Ltd. The lease was granted on 16 November 1982 for 999 years and allows for the erection of new buildings with the landlord's consent.

Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to sell the freehold of Old Sarum airfield; and if tender documents have been prepared. [16854]

Mr. Soames

We intend to sell the freehold of Old Sarum airfield by public tender. Final tender documents are being prepared with a provisional tender date of 26 April.

Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what rights are reserved for use of Old Sarum airfield by his Department; on how many occasions those rights have been exercised since a lease was granted on the property; and if he will make a statement. [16856]

Mr. Soames

The rights reserved for the use of Old Sarum permit my Department to use the airfield for the taking off and landing of military aircraft, including helicopters, on no more than 150 occasions per year. Information on the number of occasions when those rights have been exercised is only available for the last two financial years: in 1993–94, some 80 landings took place for which a landing fee was charged; in 1994–95 there were around 50 landings.