§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will publish the non-classified parts of the report of the inquiry with the M.E.X.E. establishment at Christchurch.
143W
§ Mr. RichardPublication would not be appropriate, but if there are any particular points on which the hon. Member desires information I will do what I can to help him.
§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for Defence what savings he estimates will accrue from the run-down of the M. E.X. E. establishment at Christchurch.
§ Mr. RichardThe savings accruing from the run-down of M.E.X.E. are estimated at over £300,000 a year in running costs, compared with the level of expenditure previously forecast. The full savings will not be achieved until about 1974–75, when redeployment has been effected and certain works completed. This estimate does not include receipts from sale of about 12 acres of land which will be available for disposal at Christchurch.
§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his department has for consultations with the staff of the M.E.X.E. establishment at Christchurch about the forthcoming run-down and redundancies.
§ Mr. RichardThere is well-established Whitley machinery providing for consultation with the staff about the rundown and this will be used to the full. Announcements of our broad plans were made to staff and trade union sides at central and local levels at the beginning of January.