§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discounts are offered on the sale of surplus married quarters; what is the basis of such discounts; and if such discounts can be offered in respect of properties other than the properties in which the claimer of the discount resides. [40491]
§ Mr. SoamesA discount of 30 per cent. is given under the discounted married quarters sales scheme. The 30 per cent discount has a five-year property retention condition, as stipulated by the Inland Revenue, which was based on local authority "right to buy", at the time of the scheme's inception. The married quarters offered for sale in the scheme are surplus, and, as such, would not normally be occupied by the applicant, and are regularly advertised to the three services.