§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on consulting local authorities in areas where ex-military bases have been closed, and the former service housing is to be sold to seek to ensure that jobs, education facilities and health services will exist for people who will move into such accommodation; and if he will make a statement. [5394]
§ Mr. SoamesWhere a site has been declared surplus to Defence requirements, it is the policy of my Department to work closely with the local authorities concerned, normally through the local plan process or by the production of a development brief. Matters such as jobs, schools and health services are for the local authority, but are considered as part of the local plan process and, if appropriate, as part of a development brief. In some cases, service families who previously occupied accommodation associated with a site will have made use of the local facilities, such as schools.