To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Royal Engineer Depot at Long Marston was sold; what price was received; and whether there was a development uplift clause in the sale contract under which a portion of any gain in value from a grant of planning permission is to be paid to the public purse. (203654)

[holding answer 6 May 2008]: The Central Engineer Resource Depot was sold in November 2004 for just over £11 million.

The contract contains a clawback clause whereby if enhanced development worth more than £12 million is given planning approval within 20 years of the date of sale, the Ministry of Defence will receive 50 per cent. of any uplift in value.