§ Mr. Joplingasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many different units trained at Warcop in Westmorland during the last year; how many were regular and part-time units; and for how many of them were the same facilities available nearer their home base;
(2) what is the approximate cost of transporting a large tank from Catterick camp to Warcop camp in Westmorland;
(3) what other camps in the North of England duplicate each of the facilities available for training at Warcop Camp in Westmorland;
(4) what permanent units are based at Warcop Camp in Westmorland; and how many men are permanently based there;
(5) what are his future plans for War-cop Camp in Westmorland; and what facilities are available there for training.
§ Mr. Boyden21 regular units, 18 T & AVR units and 19 Cadet Force contingents trained at Warcop in 1968. The information for the last part of the first question is not readily available but I will write to the hon. Member.
The cost of transporting a tank by the normal method of civilian hired transport is about £235.
The facilities available at Wareop camp are: tank and armoured car firing for 237W which there are no alternative facilities; general tactical training, including support weapon firing, for which Catterick and Otterburn training areas offer similar facilities; artillery firing for which Otter-burn offers similar facilities; and engineer training for which Ripon offers similar facilities.
There are no units based at Warcop Camp. There is a permanent staff of 1 officer, 1 soldier, 2 retired officers and 42 civilians who are engaged in maintenance and administration duties in connection with training.
We plan to retain our existing facilities at Warcop Camp which will shortly be improved by the construction of two electric target small arms ranges.