MARCHWOOD MILITARY PORT
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many movements of MOD vessels from the MOD Sea Mounting Centre Marchwood there were in each of the last 12 months. [165666]
Mr Robathan, Minister of State for the Armed Forces: The numbers of departures from the Sea Mounting Centre Marchwood of Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels, and vessels chartered by the Ministry of Defence, are shown in the following table:
| Departures | |
| Number | |
| 2012 | |
| July | 5 |
| August | 3 |
| September | 4 |
| October | 6 |
| November | 2 |
| December | 6 |
| 2013 | |
| January | 3 |
| February | 4 |
| March | 2 |
| April | 4 |
| May | 5 |
| June | 2 |
| Total | 46 |
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the sale of the MOD Sea Mounting Centre Marchwood to be completed. [165667]
Mr Dunne, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology: As part of the Strategic Defence and Security Review of October 2010, the Ministry of Defence committed to sell the Marchwood Sea Mounting Centre during this spending review period; this remains the intention.
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on the sale of the MOD Sea Mounting Centre Marchwood; and if he will make a statement. [165668]
Mr Dunne, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology: The site is being prepared for sale, in association with Ministry of Defence's financial and legal advisors. The intention remains to complete the transaction in the current spending review period.
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has examined all options for the delivery of the MOD Sea Mounting Centre requirements, including the use of alternative sites that might free up port capacity at Marchwood in support of UK exports. [165665]
Mr Robathan, Minister of State for the Armed Forces: The Ministry of Defence will explore, through the sale process, options for maximising economic use of the Marchwood port while ensuring that the military requirements for sea mounting can continue to be met.