To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much Crown Estate land was sold for housing development in the last year for which figures are available. (141773)

In 2005-06 the Crown Estate sold 30.3 hectares of land for residential housing development.

Financial information for 2006-07 is not yet available.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidance the Office for Government Commerce has produced on the sale of Crown estate land. (142365)

The Office of Government Commerce published the “Guide for the disposal of surplus property” in November 2005. This applies to central civil Government Departments, their Executive Agencies and sponsored bodies. It does not apply to the Crown estate, being property owned by the Sovereign “in right of the Crown”, which is governed by the Crown Estate Act 1961. The guide is available at:

www.ogc.gov.uk.