HC Deb 25 February 1999 vol 326 c413W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many sites have been disposed of in each of the last three years other than to the highest bidder. [72929]

Mr. Spellar

In our efforts to achieve best value for money for the sale of surplus property, it is our normal practice to accept the highest bid made for the site. However, there are occasions when the conditions attached to the highest bid cannot be accepted, or the financial standing of the bidder is assessed to be such that the bid would not be substantiated. There are also occasions when our professional judgment leads us to conclude that on balance of risk, a lower bid offers the best return to the taxpayer.

The specific information requested is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.