§ Mr. Hollisasked the Secretary of State for War whether he can make a statement on the coming transfer of the Command Ordnance Depot, Tidworth, so as to enable its present civilian employees to discover what are their future prospects.
§ Mr. ShinwellThe present position in Southern Command is that we have three main issuing depots, namely, at Aldershot, Hilsea and Tidworth. The number of troops to be served in the Command no longer justifies the retention of three fully functioning depots. Having regard to this fact and to the number of military and civilian personnel who will be available in 1948–49, it is necessary to carry out a reorganisation of these depots. The question as to which depots shall be retained has now been considered departmentally and Aldershot and Hilsea appear the most suitable for the purpose. No final decision will be taken and no transfer or discharge of civilian staff at Tidworth will be made until a full discussion has taken place with the Staff Side.