§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether his Department's arrangements for housing the NATO central supplies agency have been completed; and what is the estimated cost of setting up, activating and operating the United Kingdom base for the central supplies agency.
§ Mr. LeighA site has been identified for the location of the eastern branch of the NATO Central Supplies Agency. this site is presently occupied by a civilian organisation which will give it up on short notice if it is required to house the CSA during crisis or war. Until the site is required to house the CSA, the peacetime occupier will bear the rental and maintenance costs. It is not possible to say at this time what the costs of setting up and operating the agency in crisis or war might be. The cost of operating the agency in such cirmcumstances would fall to NATO.