§ Mr. Nelsonasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) further to the reply of the former Minister for Defence of 8 February on the future of Thorney Island, whether the study of Army requirements has been completed; and when a decision on the defence use of Thorney Island will be announced;
(2) what is the nature of the Army use being considered for Thorney Island.
§ Mr. HayhoeWe plan to make an announcement on the future of Thorney Island before the end of the year, when the current study has been completed. The purpose of the study is to establish whether the use of Thorney Island would enable the Army to provide a number of units with better accommodation more economically. It is too early to say whether the station is to be reopened or which units would be accommodated there.