§ Mr. Cyril D. Townsendasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has reached any conclusions about the future academic arrangements at the Royal Military College of Science at Shrivenham.
§ Mr. StanleyAfter careful study, it has been decided to place an external contract for the academic teaching and research tasks of the RMCS at Shrivenham. A contract is being placed with the Cranfield Institute of Technology whereby, after a run-up period, they will become responsible for these tasks at Shrivenham from 1 August 1984, initially for a five years' period.
The contract is expected to offer substantial advantages to both sides, and it will provide new opportunities for the college to develop. This will help to preserve the technological breadth and relevance of the college and, by ensuring that its resources are fully utilised, it will reduce the overhead cost to the Ministry of Defence.
Most of the civilian staff are expected to transfer voluntarily to the contractor; or to be found alternative jobs in the Government service.
The military and domestic tasks of the college will, however, continue under similar arrangements to those now in force, but they will complement the activities of the contractor.