Written question asked by Jason McCartney (Conservative) on Monday, 6 September 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 13 September 2010. It was answered by Lord Robathan (Conservative) on Monday, 13 September 2010 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Chelsea Barracks: Sales

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the document entitled Meeting the aspirations of the British people: 2007 pre-budget report and comprehensive spending review, Cm 7227, whether the full proceeds of the sale of the Chelsea barracks site were allocated for expenditure on armed forces accommodation.

Answer: There is no specific link between disposal receipts and individual elements of defence expenditure. Exceptionally, however, the disposal of Chelsea barracks, which was sold for £959 million, was included in the plans of the Department and underpinned investment in-service accommodation of £250 million in 2007-08.In addition it was agreed as part of the 2007 comprehensive spending review that a further £550 million should be invested in accommodation over the following three years with plans for the balance of the proceeds of £159 million, to be agreed with HM Treasury as part of the current 2010 Spending Review due to be concluded later in the autumn.The disposal of Chelsea has, therefore, secured the major investment in-service accommodation through Project SLAM (Single Living Accommodation Modernisation), the service housing upgrade programme and many other significant accommodation projects in the UK and overseas to improve the living conditions for our service personnel.

Secondary information