HC Deb 29 January 2001 vol 362 cc63-4W
Mr. Viggers

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Daedalus site at Lee-on-the-Solent. [147084]

Dr. Moonie

[holding answer 25 January 2001]: The Strategy for the defence estate launched in June last year set out our intention to identify the core sites on which we would seek to focus different activities in the longer term. A study is now in progress to this effect.

Along with other major Defence sites not yet sold, the former HMS Daedalus is being considered within this study. While it is still at an early stage and not likely to report for some time, we are looking to form an early view of the implications for the Daedalus site, if any, to avoid further uncertainty or delay. We hope to do this by the end of March and will keep the local authorities concerned informed of the position.