§ Mr. BeithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much of the land occupied by RAF Boulmer other than for married quarters is(a) publicly owned and (b) rented; and whether any of it is governed by (i) lease conditions under which the landowner can require reinstatement to agricultural condition and (ii) other restrictions which if enforced would lead to a cut to public funds when the lease is surrendered. [169173]
§ Mr. Caplin[holding answer 4 May 2004]: In total, RAF Boulmer comprises an area of some 59 ha, of which around 46 ha is Crown freehold and 13 ha is leased. The station is split into three separate areas: a main site, the old administrative site and an accommodation site.
The main site is publicly owned. No restrictions apply. The old administrative site, which is also publicly owned, is in the process of disposal and the Ministry of Defence is committed to reinstate it to its original condition. The accommodation site, which includes the Search and Rescue Unit, is partially leased.
Of this leased area, just over 4 ha could be left as existing or at the landlord's request be returned to original (agricultural) condition. The remainder has to be returned to original (agricultural) condition or compensation paid in lieu.
It is too early to assess the precise impact on receipts, but this is only one of a number of factors which would be taken into account in taking decisions.