HC Deb 18 May 1972 vol 837 cc150-1W
8. Mr. Roy Hughes

asked the Minister of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the financial saving to his Department on the basis of going ahead with the proposl to close the Royal Naval Depot, Copenavcre, Wiltshire.

Mr. Kirk

Only the storage task at present carried out at Copenacre is to be transferred to Hartlebury. The savings on the defence budget are estimated to be at least £4 million in capital cost and £250,000 in annual running costs.

16. Mr. Wallace

asked the Minister of State for Defence what consultations have taken place between his Department and the unions regarding the proposed transfer of Royal Naval Stores, Copenacre, to Hartlebury.

Mr. Kirk

The proposed transfer was made known on 14th January, 1972 to staff and their representatives at both Copenacre and Hartlebury and to departmental Whitley representatives of the staff associations and trade unions concerned. It has since featured in joint discussions at departmental and local level. There will continue to be the fullest possible consultation on all aspects of the transfer.

Mr. Awdry

asked the Minister of State for Defence when he expects to be in a position to make a final decision in respect of the proposal to move computer facilities and part of the inventory management element from Eaglescliffe to the Copenacre/Bath area; and how many employees will be affected by this move.

Mr. Kirk

This is a complicated matter that involves examination of a number of possible alternatives that have heavy financial and practical implications for Government computer policy. No decision is likely to be reached for some time. The exact number of employees affected by this proposal will be dependent upon the systems chosen, but it is expected that about 110 non-industrial posts would be added to those in the Copenacre/Bath area.

Mr. Awdry

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will now reconsider his decision to close the Royal Naval Depôt at Copenacre, in view of the fact that he has now decided not to close the Eaglescliffe Depôt after receiving representations from that area.

Mr. Kirk

As announced on 10th May, the decision to retain store facilities at Eaglescliffe was taken in the light of the recent intensification of the Government's regional measures. While we are considering the strong representations made by my hon. Friend, and by others, the additional capital costs of reproviding facilities at Copenacre seem to rule out acceptance of their proposals.—[Vol. 836, c. 382.]