asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to release to the Hillingdon council the land at West Ruislip air base which is surplus to Ministry of Defence and United States Navy requirements; and if he will make a statement.

The United States naval authorities have in the past few days given us details of the land at Ruislip which is surplus to their requirements. We are examining their proposals and expect before Christmas to pass an area of just under 20 acres to the Property Services Agency which will be responsible for its disposal.