To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the current estimates for the building of the additional accommodation required at RAF Cranwell following the closure of the officer and aircrew selection centre at RAF Biggin Hill.
The estimated cost of the new facilities required at RAF Cranwell amounts to some £7·5 million at current prices. This figure now allows for VAT and current levels of inflation in the construction industry.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the current estimates for the likely level of capital receipts from the disposal of the site at present occupied by RAF Biggin Hill.
Estimates of expected receipts are commercially confidential, but we expect income from disposals at Biggin Hill to more than cover the cost of reproviding facilities for the officer and aircrew selection centre at RAF Cranwell.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the anticipated demand for officers' married quarters in the Greater London area over the next five years; and whether accommodation is to be provided at RAF Biggin Hill to meet this demand.
Present plans envisage that the requirement for officers' married quarters in the Greater London area will, over the medium to long term, be reduced. It is our intention to dispose of all the officers' married quarters at RAF Biggin Hill when the station closes. Present plans anticipate that the various elements of the Biggin Hill site will become available for disposal towards the end of 1992, excluding the memorial chapel enclave which will be retained.