Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what consultation his Department undertook prior to the decision to publish on 7 November 2016, his Department's Better Defence Estate Strategy to dispose of military sites in the City of York.

The estate optimisation strategy - "A Better Defence Estate" was developed with military advice from the Front Line Commands and was agreed by the single Service Chiefs and the Defence Board. Civilian HR representatives were also involved regarding impact for civilian staff. Initial discussions were held with Local Authorities immediately following the announcement. More detailed discussions are under way as we work towards disposal of specific sites.