§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the(a) role, (b) establishment and (c) cost of set-up of the new joint military operations headquarters at Northwood; and if he will make a statement. [27394]
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§ Mr. SoamesThe establishment of the new permanent joint headquarters will significantly enhance the United Kingdom's ability to plan and conduct joint operations. Its role will be to draw together contingency planning, co-ordinate joint operational activities, joint training and exercises, and act as a focus for joint doctrine. In so doing, it will eradicate the disadvantages inherent in the current system of creating an ad hoc JHQ. Detailed work on the establishment continues, but it is expected to be around 330 permanent staff, including watchkeepers to allow the HQ to function on a 24-hour basis. The initial costs of setting up the JHQ are estimated at some £12,000,000, and the running costs, including manpower, at some £15,000,000 per annum. Annual running costs are expected to be offset by compensating reductions in manpower and other costs elsewhere in the Department.