§ 21. Mr. Burdenasked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total cost of moving the Royal Supply School from H.M.S. "Ceres" at Weatherby to H.M.S. "Pembroke" in 1959; and what is the estimated cost of providing the required facilities when the school is transferred to Portland.
§ Dr. David Owen£25,000 and £1.5 million respectively. The intended move is not, however, to Portland but to H.M.S. "Excellent" at Portsmouth, and we would have to spend at least £1 million if the school were to be kept at Chatham.
§ Mr. BurdenWhy is this increased expenditure necessary when the school is only 10 years old? What extra facilities will be provided as a result of the move and of the increased expenditure?
§ Dr. OwenThe £0.5 million relates only to capital cost. This is part of a comprehensive long-term plan to achieve economies in naval shore training, and economies will be achieved mainly in reduced maintenance and reduced personnel.
§ 22. Mr. Burdenasked the Secretary of State for Defence if it is the intention to transfer the staff of about 450 now employed in the Royal Supply School, Chatham, when the school is moved to Portland.
§ Dr. David OwenThe naval instructors and students of the Supply and Secretarial School—which is only one of the establishments at H.M.S. "Pembroke"—should be transferred to Portsmouth in the late 1970s. Currently these number about 400.
§ Mr. BurdenWill redundancies eventually occur as the result of the move, and will those who have to move receive a full removal allowance and housing accommodation at their new base?
§ Dr. OwenIn reply to the latter part of the supplementary question, the normal arrangements will apply. This is a move for the late 1970s, and it is impossible to give a categoric assurance. The normal practice is to try to achieve this by natural wastage, and this has been achieved in most cases in the past.