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Written Question
RAF Scampton
Monday 15th May 2023

Asked by: Edward Leigh (Conservative - Gainsborough)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of transferring RAF Scampton to the Home Department on the preservation of defence heritage.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The MInistry of Defence has had to make some difficult decisions to dispose of sites that have become surplus to military requirements in accordance with HM Treasury guidance on the management of surplus government land. Full consideration was given to the history and heritage of the site ahead of the decision to dispose, and plans to protect the heritage for future generations were put in place ahead of closure. These included relocating a number of heritage assets where appropriate, and ensuring the future owners are aware of their responsibilities in the preservation of all listed assets as is standard for all disposals. The responsibility of Scampton has now been officially transferred from the RAF to the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, where the final processes will be completed before the site ownership is transferred to the Home Office, where it has been selected to temporarily house asylum seekers.


Written Question
Ukraine: Refugees
Thursday 21st April 2022

Asked by: Edward Leigh (Conservative - Gainsborough)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of using surplus accommodation on his Department's sites as temporary housing for Ukrainian refugees.

Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)

Formal approaches can be made to the Ministry of Defence for the leasing of void housing stock and requests made by Local Authorities for the use of military housing for Ukrainian refugee relocation and resettlement purposes are being handled in a similar way to the Defence Afghan Relocation and Resettlement Programme (ARAP). When formal requests are received for Defence to assist with accommodation for Ukrainian refugees, they are considered in line with Military Aid to the Civil Authorities (MACA) principles.


Written Question
RAF Scampton: Red Arrows
Wednesday 2nd March 2022

Asked by: Edward Leigh (Conservative - Gainsborough)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department plans to ensure that flying space above and around RAF Scampton is preserved for the use of the RAF Aerobatic Team once his Department disposes of that site.

Answered by Jeremy Quin

The Ministry of Defence has no requirements to preserve the restricted flying space above and around RAF Scampton for the use of the RAF Aerobatic Team and the site will be sold without any encumbrances.


Written Question
Air Force: Military Bases
Tuesday 1st March 2022

Asked by: Edward Leigh (Conservative - Gainsborough)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which RAF bases in the UK his Department has disposed of since 2000; how much each site was sold for; and to whom or what entity each was sold.

Answered by Jeremy Quin

A copy of the information relating to those RAF locations where significant Ministry of Defence assets have been disposed of during the period in question is attached.


Written Question
Military Bases: Repairs and Maintenance
Thursday 1st July 2021

Asked by: Edward Leigh (Conservative - Gainsborough)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what maintenance or other works have been undertaken on the defence estate in the last six months.

Answered by Jeremy Quin

This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost, as across every Ministry of Defence site maintenance tasks are carried out on a daily basis.

For example, Amey, who are responsible for the maintenance of Service Family Accommodation, carry out approximately 250,000 maintenance tasks per year under the National Housing Prime contract.


Written Question
RAF Scampton
Thursday 4th February 2021

Asked by: Edward Leigh (Conservative - Gainsborough)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions his Department has had with parties interested in the future use of RAF Scampton after its decommissioning.

Answered by Jeremy Quin

The Department is engaging with both Lincolnshire and West Lindsey Councils to explore potential uses for the site. However in line with disposals guidelines, no discussions have been held with any potential acquirors of the RAF Scampton site. Any interested third parties should register their interest with the department via DioAsp-AcqDispOffice@mod.gov.uk.


Written Question
RAF Scampton
Tuesday 8th December 2020

Asked by: Edward Leigh (Conservative - Gainsborough)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he has taken to progress the development of the RAF Scampton site; if he will engage with potential developers or purchasers for the site; and what steps he is taking to ensure that the disposal of the site is undertaken in such a way as to maximise public benefit for Lincolnshire.

Answered by Jeremy Quin

RAF Scampton will be disposed of in accordance with Treasury guidelines following the closure of the site, which is currently planned for 2022. The Ministry of Defence is aware of the interest in the future of the site and will continue to engage with the local authority as plans develop.


Written Question
Palace of Westminster: Repairs and Maintenance
Tuesday 16th June 2020

Asked by: Edward Leigh (Conservative - Gainsborough)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Right hon. Member for East Hampshire representing the Parliamentary Works Sponsor Body, with reference to the Houses of Parliament Restoration and Renewal press release published on 19 May 2020, what the names are of the people appointed to the expert team to examine the plans for the restoration.

Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)

On 19 May the Sponsor Body announced it would conduct a strategic review of the Restoration and Renewal Programme.

The review team will be led by the chief executives of the Sponsor Body and Delivery Authority, Sarah Johnson and David Goldstone, who will be supported by infrastructure and programme management experts drawn from both organisations. The chairs of the Sponsor Body and Delivery Authority, Liz Peace and Mike Brown, will also provide input.

As the review progresses input and challenge will be sought from within Parliament and externally.

The review is expected to conclude in the autumn and its findings will be considered by the Sponsor Body Board and the Commissions of both Houses in the first instance.


Written Question
Red Arrows
Wednesday 26th February 2020

Asked by: Edward Leigh (Conservative - Gainsborough)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team plans to vacate RAF Scampton; and to which RAF base that Team will relocate.

Answered by Jeremy Quin

As announced in July 2018, RAF Scampton is due to close in 2022. The future location of the Red Arrows is still being determined, with RAF Leeming, RAF Waddington and RAF Wittering identified as potential sites.


Written Question
RAF Scampton: Land
Monday 10th February 2020

Asked by: Edward Leigh (Conservative - Gainsborough)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to publish the results of the Land Quality Assessment for RAF Scampton.

Answered by Johnny Mercer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Minister for Veterans' Affairs)

The information requested will be placed in the Library of the House.