HC Deb 21 November 1995 vol 267 cc69-70W
Mr. David Nicholson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the intended capacity of GCHQ after 1999, on the reasons for the proposed closure of the Culmhead station and on the arrangements for the personnel at present stationed there. [599]

Mr. Rifkind

GCHQ will maintain its capability up to and beyond 1999 but will be able to reduce its staff numbers to about 5,000 by 1999 by moving to more efficient methods of operation. The decision to close the composite signals organisation station at Culmhead was the result of a periodic review of resources and was in response to anticipated changes in requirements and technological advances which will enable GCHQ to become more efficient by consolidating some of its operations. As far as possible the run-down at Culmhead will be achieved through voluntary retirements and redeployments, but some compulsory redundancies appear inevitable. Full support to those affected will be provided by GCHQ's personnel and welfare service and an outplacement scheme.