Nic Dakin – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nic Dakin on 2014-05-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make it his policy to apply in all circumstances the Defence Infrastructure Organisation’s principles that local councils should have first refusal when assets are being disposed of.

Mr Mark Francois

There is no such principle. In accordance with Treasury guidelines the Department is required to achieve best value for money in the sale of each site.

In the case of Kirton in Lindsey, following the aborted sale to the Homes and Communities Agency, the MOD decided to proceed straight to the open market. The department will be happy to receive a tender from North Lincolnshire District Council to be considered along with all other bids in fair and open competition.