§ Mr. Peter Griffiths asked the Secretary of State for Defence if it is still his intention that the Royal Marines School of Music should move to Portsmouth.
§ Mr. Blaker:I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the announcement several years ago of a plan to move 200W the Royal Marines School of Music from Deal to Eastney. However, earlier this year it was decided to institute a review of the long-term location of the school of music with a view to securing maximum economy, as was explained at the time in a letter sent by my hon. Friend the Member for Ashford (Mr. Speed), then Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Royal Navy, to my hon. Friend. That review, which is taking into account new circumstances following the changes in the defence programme announced in Cmnd. 8288, is not yet complete.