§ Dr. SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future location of units returning from Germany and Hong Kong; and if he will now announce the location for the second additional infantry battalion announced on 3 February 1993,Official Report, column 321.
§ Mr. HanleyA number of options have been considered for permanent barracks required for three Army units returning from Germany in 1995, for one of the battalions returning from Hong Kong, and for the Gurkhas. I am pleased to announce that I have decided that the following locations will be retained by the Army as permanent baracks:246W
- i. The Gurkhas, currently in Church Crookham near Aldershot, will move to Elizabeth Barracks, Pirbright around the end of the year. Until that time Pirbright will house the Black Watch, returning in July from Hong Kong.
- ii. The Army Apprentice College, Chepstow will be converted into a permanent infantry barracks and will be the home for the 1st Battalion the Royal Welch Fusiliers from December 1995.
- iii. 14 Signals Regiment, returning from Germany, will be housed permanently in RAF Brawdy from December 1995. Until then, RAF Brawdy will be used as temporary accommodation for the 1st Battalion the Royal Welch Fusiliers.
- iv. 16 Regiment Royal Artillery (Air Defence), returning from Germany, is to be located at the Royal Artillery Barracks, Woolwich by November 1995. Woolwich is the historic home of the Royal Artillery.
- v. 39 Regiment Royal Artillery, returning from Germany, is to be located at Albermarle Barracks, Ouston from November 1995.
I am still considering possible locations for another permanent infantry barracks to cater for the second of the two additional infantry battalions announced on 3 February 1993, Official Report, column 320. I hope to be able to make a further announcement very soon.