HC Deb 11 March 1971 vol 813 cc572-3
30. Mr. Fowler

asked the Minister of State for Defence what representations he has received on the decision to move the East Midlands Army district headquarters from Nottingham to Colchester; and what reply he has sent.

Mr. Ian Gilmour

Representations have been made about the effect of the future arrangements, particularly on TAVR interests. I have replied that the continued separate existence of East Midland District could not be justified but that the Brigadier Deputy Commander of the new Eastern District will be located in the Nottingham area for at least two years after the present East Midland and Eastern Districts amalgamate early in 1973.

Mr. Fowler

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Will he recognise that there is concern about this move, particularly about the inaccessibility of Colchester to the East Midlands? I hope that he is satisfied that it will not have an adverse effect upon Army recruitment in the East Midlands, which has always been particularly good.

Mr. Gilmour

I agree that recruiting in that area has been very good, but there will, of course, be no change in Army careers offices in the Nottingham area, and I have no reason to think that recruiting will be adversely affected.