HC Deb 02 June 1965 vol 713 cc1709-10
24. Mr. Buck

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now announce a timetable for the reorganisation and rebuilding of the Colchester Garrison, for which plans have already been published.

Mr. Reynolds

Much of the Garrison has been rebuilt already. I expect the rest of the programme to be completed by 1971–72.

Mr. Buck

Would the hon. Gentleman be prepared to issue a timetable for various stages of the future development of the Garrison? Does he realise that this is particularly important because further development involves handing back some land for civilian purposes? At the moment there is very little knowledge of the timetable and this is causing despondency among some of the military personnel involved.

Mr. Reynolds

We hope to be able to sell some land, probably to the local authority, when the programme has been completed, but until it has been completed the land in Colchester which will eventually be surplus to Army needs will not be available. We shall keep in touch with the local authority about the development of the programme.