To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the current state of the historic buildings at Greenwich in the ownership of the Ministry of Defence. [7818]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence holds the freehold of the historic buildings of the Royal Naval College at Greenwich, together with the Dreadnought Seamen's Hospital and the Devonport Nurses' Home, on behalf of the Crown for the benefit of Greenwich Hospital. Of these, the Royal Naval College, which is occupied by the Ministry of Defence is, with the exception of King William Building and the external areas, in a fair state of repair. The Dreadnought Seamen's Hospital and the Devonport Nurses' Home (neither of which is leased to my Department) are unoccupied and are in a less satisfactory condition. I understand that Greenwich Hospital has been encouraging the tenants, which have full responsibility for repairs and maintenance, to take measures to prevent further deterioration.