§ Mr. SykesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his plans for defence intelligence and security training in the armed forces. [36387]
§ Mr. SoamesDefence intelligence and security training is tri-service and carried out at units based at Ashford, Kent, and Garats Hay stations; Royal Air Force North Luffenham and Wyton; and HMS Mercury. The units currently employ about 650 staff comprising military personnel from all three armed services and civil servants. Their task is to provide training and advice on intelligence and security disciplines and policy to the armed forces. I have accepted a recommendation made by the defence costs study that these units be rationalised. A new defence intelligence and security centre is to be formed and considered as a candidate for defence agency status under the "next steps" initiative. This will start with a "prior options" review and, if agency status is approved, a target launch date of 1 October 1996 will he set.