Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's report, a Better Defence Estate, published in November 2016, which local authorities his Department has met to discuss plans for the defence estate.

"A Better Defence Estate" is a military-led report.

Ministry of Defence (MOD) officials have met with the majority of Local Authorities impacted by the plans set out in "A Better Defence Estate" as part of the department's routine engagement process. Letters have also been sent to the leaders of all Local Authorities to inform them that Defence sites within their areas were included in the announcement. These letters set out the potential disposal time-frame, where applicable and invite appropriate engagement at official level with the Local Authorities on the likely impacts.

The announcement aims to provide as much clarity and certainty on the MOD's long term intent, up to two decades, to invest in certain sites and communities. This will give Local Authorities the time to plan and to explore ways in which a vacated site could be used, including for housing or commercial use. The MOD is also aware of the impact that moving additional personnel into existing Defence sites will have on local communities and will be working closely with Local Authorities and relevant government departments.