§ Mr. WelshTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidance he gives to the Defence Housing Executive and Defence Estates concerning the disposal of surplus housing stock. [123873]
§ Dr. MoonieThe Defence Housing Executive is required to dispose of as much surplus housing stock as is compatible with meeting its principle function of providing housing for entitled and eligible Service personnel and their families at their place of work.
The bulk of Service families accommodation (SFA) in England and Wales was sold to Annington Homes Ltd. (AHL) in 1996. The Ministry of Defence leases back those properties it needs to house Service families. Properties which become surplus to military requirements are handed back to AHL for disposal.
Surplus housing which does not form part of the underlease with AHL, including all that in Scotland, is dealt with by Defence Estates (DE) in accordance with Chapter 32 of Government Accounting.
§ Mr. WelshTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many MOD properties in Scotland are used for civilian and irregular occupancies; and how many such properties he expects to be disposed of in the next three years. [123914]
§ Dr. MoonieOf the total number of 5,728 Service Families Accommodation (SFA) held by the Ministry of Defence in Scotland, 51 are occupied by Irregular Occupants and 136 are let to MOD and other non-entitled civilians. There is no intention to dispose of these properties at present although plans continue to evolve in the light of developing demand and it is possible that such properties may be included in those identified for disposal during the next three years.
A further 173 properties are let to housing associations. Negotiations are continuing for the disposal of 118 let properties at Helensburgh and it is hoped these will be completed within three months. The remaining 55 let properties at Forres have been handed over to Defence Estates for disposal.