Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of allowing continued public access to Welbeck College’s sporting facilities after the closure of that college.

Welbeck College has been pleased to be able to make some of its sporting facilities available for other users since it started operation in 2005. The future of the site is part of an ongoing study to consider whether it may be required for an alternative Defence purpose. Should that not be the case it will be placed on the open market at which time discussions would take place with relevant stakeholders, including the Local Authority and Partners Across Government, to seek the best possible future use of the site. It is too early to say what the outcome of the current study will be or how future use will impact on continued access to sports facilities, but early market testing identified credible prospective interest from the private education sector.

I will write to the hon. Member once a decision on next steps is made.