Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton and Rebecca Harris

Monday 13th March 2017 Commons Chamber

[Rebecca Harris (Castle Point) (Con)]

16. What steps he is taking to release surplus Ministry of Defence land.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mark Lancaster)]

As part of an ongoing programme, all land that is surplus to defence requirements is sold in accordance with the guidelines set by the Treasury. This release of sites supports the Department’s contribution to the Government’s public sector land release target to reduce the housing deficit or contribute to economic development.

[Rebecca Harris]

I appreciate that some people will be concerned about the release of some MOD land, but does my hon. Friend agree that, for anyone who is anxious to have a home of their own or who needs new business premises, it often cannot come quickly enough?

[Mark Lancaster]

Indeed. I would point the House to the recent sale of the Hullavington site, which I was delighted was bought by Sir James Dyson. While it may not be going directly to housing, it will become the Dyson global research and development hub, which will bring much-needed economic development to the area.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton and Rebecca Harris

Monday 12th December 2016 Commons Chamber

[Rebecca Harris (Castle Point) (Con)]

6. What support the armed forces provide to apprenticeships.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mark Lancaster)]

The armed forces are Britain’s biggest provider of apprenticeships. We have around 20,000 apprentices on programmes at any one time, ranging from engineering and IT to construction and driving. Defence has pledged to start 50,000 apprenticeships during this Parliament and will seize the new Treasury co-investment opportunity to work with the Department for Education, expanding and improving the current range of apprenticeships we offer.

[Rebecca Harris]

That is indeed impressive. I was expecting a good reply but not to find out that the armed forces were the largest provider in the country. What assurance can the Minister give those residents of mine who might want to take up an apprenticeship with the Ministry of Defence that they offer quality as well as quantity?

[Mark Lancaster]

My hon. Friend is right to focus on quality, and I am delighted to say that following the last Ofsted inspections both the Army and the naval service were graded as “good”, with some individual programmes being graded as “outstanding”, while the RAF’s programme was graded as “outstanding”.