Oral Answers to Questions

Rebecca Harris Excerpts

Monday 13th March 2017 Commons Chamber

[Sir Michael Fallon]

The return we make to NATO captures all the spending that falls to the defence budget, and it is for NATO to decide whether that return is properly completed. Indeed, a Committee of this House found that the

“accounting criteria fall firmly within existing NATO guidelines.”

[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.