HL Deb 06 June 1962 vol 241 c596

2.7 p.m.

LORD RAGLAN

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether a decision has been made regarding the allocation of the Artillery Barracks, Newport, to the Monmouthshire Territorial and Auxiliary Association.]

LORD ST. OSWALD

My Lords, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for War is planning to concentrate Monmouthshire Territorial Army units into these barracks.

LORD RAGLAN

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that his right honourable friend has been planning to do this for several years?

LORD ST. OSWALD

My Lords, I do not know what my noble friend means by "several years". He will appreciate that only as from 1960, with the reorganisation of the Territorial Army, have the needs of this group of units really been studied in the light of today's circumstances.

LORD RAGLAN

My Lords, may we hope for an early decision on this matter, because it is a matter of some urgency?

LORD ST. OSWALD

My Lords, it has in fact been agreed that the Territorial Army shall have the use of these barracks. When they actually move in depends on the work of adaptation, which it is expected may take from two to three years.

LORD RAGLAN

My Lords, I understand that these plans were approved by the War Office last year.