§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has any plans to disperse staff employed at the Ministry of Defence AQD Laboratories at Harefield; if so, what consultations have taken place with the staff concerned; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. William RodgersConsideration is being given to the dispersal of some 1,500 MOD Quality Assurance staff to Glasgow, and the AQD Laboratories at Harefield are among the possible candidates, although no decisions have yet been taken. I have recently met representatives from AQD Harefield, who took the opportunity to fully explain their own views. There will be further discussions before any final announcement is made.