Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the probability of planning permission being given for development of those parts of the site of the Sea Mounting Centre at Marchwood, Hampshire, which are to be leased to private companies; and if he will make a statement.

Due to the requirement to protect and maintain competitive tension, all negotiations with commercial bidders are confidential. Bidders' formal proposals have not yet been received. Planning permission will be dependent on the specific content of Bidders' formal proposals; thus no further comment can be made at this time.