§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason surplus married quarters at Arborfield were not disposed of on the open market; and if he will make a statement. [129245]
§ Dr. MoonieThe properties at Arborfield were included in the sale, on a 999 year lease, of most of the Service Families Quarters in England and Wales to Annington Homes Ltd. (AHL) in November 1996. At that time there was a requirement for the properties to house Service families and they were underleased back from AHL. The properties have since been declared surplus to Service requirements and, under the terms of the sale agreement a total of 105 have been handed back to AHL. The option of sale on the open market is therefore a matter for the owners, AHL.