HL Deb 05 April 1995 vol 563 cc19-20WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the interests of the taxpayer in general (as distinct from the interests of the Defence Budget) and the future of the Grade 1 listed buildings at the Royal Naval College at Greenwich were fully considered before it was decided to relocate the Joint Service Command and Staff College.

Lord Henley

In reaching decisions on the location of the Joint Service Command and Staff College, we took account of all relevant factors, including those not strictly the responsibility of my department. While the savings expected from the establishment of the Joint Service Command and Staff College at Camberley will accrue to my department, no extra costs to other government departments are expected to arise.

Her Majesty's Government had particularly in mind the future of the Grade 1 listed buildings at the Royal Naval College when they reached their conclusions. As I said in my Answer of 30 March, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Defence, as sole trustee of Greenwich Hospital, the Crown Charity which owns the Royal Naval College, is conscious of the need to find suitable occupants for this exceptional site. In doing so, he will keep in close touch with the Secretary of State for National Heritage and will have in mind the proposals made by the Royal Parks Review Group

Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the costings referred to on 30 March (WA 54–56) on the future of the Royal Naval College at Greenwich and the Secretary of State for Defence's intention to relocate the Joint Service Command and Staff College exclude returns on the possible sale of land at Camberley, and, if so, whether this affects the assertion that "Camberley is the most cost effective option".

Lord Henley

The costings considered and referred to in my Answer of 30 March included potential sale receipts for Camberley and Bracknell. As is normal policy, the published costings exclude reference to such receipts for reasons of commercial confidentiality. In all respects, however, Camberley remains the cheapest and most cost effective option.