§ Mr. Leadbitterasked the Minister of State for Defence what savings in expenditure he expects to make in respect of the proposed closures of Ministry of Defence research development establishments; and when he expects to implement the proposals and complete the second phase referred to in the Statement on Defence, paragraph 29.
§ Mr. Ian GilmourSavings in expenditure from these closures will, it is estimated, be about £1.3 million a year. Plans to implement these decisions are proceeding with a view to completing the closures in three to five years. The second phase should be sufficiently defined for consultations with staff to begin before the end of this year. It is too early to say when the second phase will be completed.