Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many offers his Department has received from external bodies to take over the upkeep and associated costs of St George's Chapel at Biggin Hill in the last five years.

While no formal proposals have been received, we have been in discussion with Bromley Council for 18 months on the Chapel's future and are pleased that the Council wants to create a heritage centre on the site. Subject to the agreement of suitable terms to secure the future of the Chapel, the site will be leased on a long term basis to the Council for a peppercorn rent. A number of parties have come forward offering support and we will be working with Bromley Council to identify how these generous offers can be incorporated into the final heritage proposal.