§ Mr. BrandrethTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a further statement about the Army personnel centre.
§ Mr. HanleyIn common with other support functions, the Army personnel centre, APC, was closely re-examined in the course of the defence costs study. This further work has confirmed that Kentigern house remains the most cost-effective solution for the APC, and work will now continue towards its establishment although we envisage that fewer staff will be required; this will be subject to consultation with the trade unions in the normal way. It is now planned that the APC will be established in May 1996 with the takeover of functions complete by early 1997, a year later than was previously intended.