§ Mr. Chichester-Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has formed of the total cost of moving 346W the Joint Anti-Submarine School at Londonderry to Portsmouth.
§ Dr. David OwenThe disposition of certain functions of the Joint Anti-Submarine School in relation to future maritime training requirements is still being examined. Work is proceeding on the construction of the integrated training complex to be established at Southwick Park, but until the future scope of joint maritime training has been finally settled, I regret that it is not possible to give detailed costs involved in the transfer from Londonderry to Portsmouth.
§ Mr. Chichester-Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the number of personnel stationed at the Royal Air Force Station, Ballykelly, who are involved in exercises with the Joint Anti-Submarine School at Londonderry.
§ Mr. ReynoldsNo one is specially established at R.A.F. Ballykelly for these exercises but personnel at the station are naturally involved from the station commander downwards, mainly in the domestic, administrative and airfield services fields.
§ Mr. Chichester-Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Defence how long personnel stationed at the Royal Air Force Station, Ballykelly, and involved in exercises with the Joint Anti-Submarine School at Londonderry will remain at Ballykelly.
§ Mr. ReynoldsUntil about the end of 1970.
§ Mr. Chichester-Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is his latest estimate of the number of civilian employees at the Joint Anti-Submarine School at Londonderry who will become redundant after 1971.
§ Dr. David OwenAll established employees will be eligible for transfer under the normal procedure, and it is our policy to explore every possibility of alternative positions for all the employees. A lot depends on the natural wastage and early retirements and so at this stage it is not possible to estimate the number of employees liable to become redundant after 1971.
§ Mr. Chichester-Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Defence when he now 347W expects to move the Joint Anti-Submarine School at Londonderry to Portsmouth.
§ Dr. David OwenWhen the decision to move the Joint Anti-Submarine School to Portsmouth was announced in July, 1968, it was said the move was not scheduled to take place before 1971. This is still the present position.—[Vol. 768, c. 128.]
§ Mr. Chichester-Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Defence what economic appraisal he made of the cost of Social security benefits and the provision of alternative jobs and other factors before reaching his decision to close down the Joint Anti-Submarine School, Londonderry; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Dr. David OwenAll relevant economic factors were taken fully into account, before this decision was taken. I do not consider it necessary to add to the statement made to this House on 11th July, 1968.—[Vol. 768, c. 128.]
§ Mr. Chichester-Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, in reaching his decision to close down the Joint Anti-Submarine School at Londonderry, an economic appraisal was made to take into account the cost of grants, loans and development aid needed to restore employment in the area.
§ Dr. David OwenAll relevant economic factors were taken fully into account before this decision was taken.