§ 17. Mr. Hanleyasked the Secretary of State for Defence what were the costs, probable causes and consequences of the fire at Royal Air Force Brampton on Wednesday 23 October.
§ Mr. LeeThe fire at Royal Air Force Brampton destroyed the main part of the headquarters building of Royal Air Force support command. This will be replaced at an estimated cost of £1.2 million for temporary accommodation, followed by approximately £4 million more for permanent accommodation. The inquiry into the cause of the fire is not yet complete, but there is no evidence that it was other than accidental. Operational capabilities are unaffected, although some minor administrative difficulties may be experienced until the headquarters organisation can be fully reconstituted in the new accommodation.
§ Mr. HanleyWould my hon. Friend not agree that, after two serious fires in the past three years, costing millions of pounds, the security system ought to be more appropriate to the modern age?