§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of progress in implementing the Investment Strategy; if he will list the exceptional circumstances under which sites may be offered to other public bodies; what sites have been disposed of in this way, and under what circumstances in each case, in the last four years; and if he will make a statement. [150524]
§ Dr. MoonieThe Investment Strategy was published as a result of the 2000 Spending Review, which sets out new plans for investment for 2001–02 to 2003–04. At the same time, the Government committed themselves to producing documents that would show how Departments planned to use this funding by setting out a strategic plan for both new investment and the use of existing assets. The Defence Investment Strategy is the result. The Strategy sets out the strategic context the MOD is working in, an analysis of its existing asset base, future investment plans and the systems the Department will be adopting to deliver value for money.
The exceptional circumstances under which sites may be offered to other public bodies are where it will ensure the future preservation of an area of importance for nature conservation, a listed building or scheduled monument or to preserve a community facility which would have no alternative use. Details of the sites which have been disposed of in this way over the last four years are not held centrally, and the costs of retrieving this information would be disproportionate.