HC Deb 08 December 2003 vol 415 cc273-4W
Mr. Rosindell

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total area of land owned by his Department within the UK is. [142287]

Mr. Caplin

Freehold Land and Foreshore holdings is 220,000 hectares.

Mr. Rosindell

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to sell land within the UK owned by his Department. [142288]

Mr. Caplin

The sites on which the Ministry of Defence operates within the United Kingdom are subject to regular review. The aim is to ensure that operational activities are conducted from the best locations commensurate with the primacy of operational effectiveness. The consideration of other key factors affecting our use of the estate includes the full range of sustainability issues, local planning regulations and the cost to the taxpayer of continuing occupation of a site.

Any site declared surplus to our operational requirements is prepared for disposal in accordance with developed policy. MOD has agreed with the Treasury to generate income of £500 million from the disposal of surplus land and property between 2003–04 and 2005–06.