Written question asked by Paul Flynn (Labour) on Tuesday, 15 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 4 April 2005. It was answered by Ivor Caplin (Labour) on Monday, 4 April 2005 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average rent charged by his Department to farmers for land was per hectare in each county in the UK in the latest period for which figures are available.

Answer: Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average rent charged by his Department to farmers for land was per hectare in each county in the UK in the latest period for which figures are available. [222832] Mr. Caplin: The Ministry of Defence does not own land in every county in the United Kingdom and thus does not record or retain information on that basis. Land is held for purposes of military training and is made available without detriment to such training. Rent is set according to the conditions with which the Department is content to let the land, and this therefore becomes the market rent for that land taking into consideration these conditions. To provide the information requested, given that it is not held for defence purposes, would require disproportionate cost and effort.

Secondary information