Gosport MP, Caroline Dinenage, will be welcoming the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State and Minister for Defence People and Veterans The Rt Hon Tobias Ellwood MP, to her constituency on Thursday to visit several MOD sites.
Caroline and the Minister will be joined by representatives from the Defence Infrastructure Organisation and Gosport Borough Council for a tour of HMS Sultan, Fort Blockhouse and MOD retained land at Royal Clarence Yard.
The visit comes in the wake of the Ministry of Defence plans for "A Better Defence Estate" published in November 2016 which includes the disposal of 91 sites, including two, HMS Sultan and Fort Blockhouse, which are in Gosport
For centuries the Gosport Peninsular has played a key role in serving the armed forces, and particularly the Royal Navy, with the facilities to accommodate, train, feed, equip, arm and prepare for their vital roles. Despite substantial sites like Haslar Hospital and HMS Daedalus being sold off in the last 20 years, approximately 21% of land in Gosport still remains in MOD ownership.
Speaking before the Minister's visit, Caroline said:
"The Ministers visit to Gosport is a welcome reminder of how important this area is to the armed forces and particularly the Royal Navy. I am keen to see sites such as Fort Blockhouse and Royal Clarence Yard released by the MoD in a way which will maximise local economic benefits. But I am also determined to discuss alternatives to the disposal of HMS Sultan whose sale would be to the detriment of Gosport, the Royal Navy and the MoD."
