Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether any of the three remaining bidders for the proposed lease of parts of the Marchwood Sea Mounting Centre site have made their bids dependent upon planning permission for development being granted; 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.