HC Deb 20 January 1995 vol 252 cc749-50W
Ms Rachel Squire

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the final destination for the Comcen equipment currently at Pitreavie.

Mr. Soames

On current plans, the principal items of Comcen equipment at Pitreavie would be relocated as follows

  1. a. Tandem CLX computers to the new Portsmouth dockyard Comcen.
  2. b. Ten channel RATT ship shore equipment to Faslane.
  3. c. Two core network packet switches to other nodes in the naval shore telecommunications network. The precise destination remains subject to detailed planning for reconfiguration of the NSTN.
  4. d. NATO submarine broadcast control equipment to either Comcen Whitehall or RAF High Wycombe.

A number of small obsolescent equipments and system components at Pitreavie would be disposed of. Those with remaining useful life would be retained in store to support other Comcens.

As stated in the consultation document on Pitreavie, where final destinations for relocating equipment are unclear the most expensive option has formed the basis of the estimated costs involved.

Ms Rachel Squire

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what considerations underlay the decision to include in the average costs quoted in C31 consultation document of the defence costs study on Pitreavie of both general running costs and one-off costs.

Mr. Soames

Both general running costs and one-off costs need to be taken into account to gain a complete understanding of the overall costs and relative savings associated with particular options. This was the basis of the approach used in the consultation document on Pitreavie. In the case of future unprogrammed one-off costs, provision was made, where appropriate, on the basis of figures derived from historical expenditure patterns.

Ms Rachel Squire

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the conduct of the consultation process over the future of Pitreavie.

Mr. Soames

Proposals on the future location of FOSNNI's operational headquarters were promulgated in a consultation document dated 21 October 1994. Amended financial information relating to these proposals was issued subsequently on 16 December. The period allowed for consultation was extended slightly to allow for this additional information to be studied and consultation formally completed on 6 January 1995. Responses to our proposals are currently being given careful consideration and I hope to announce a decision shortly.

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