§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Defence what research his Department has initiated or commissioned in the last three years concerning the establishment of a military music training school; what conclusions were reached; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LeeA study into musician training in the armed forces was initiated in early 1982. The study was in several stages, one of which involved the employment of an outside consultant. In the light of this work we decided to replace the three single-service schools with one Defence School of Music, to be located at Deal, Kent. This decision was announced in July 1984. We hope that the new school will open in about 1988.
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria have governed his decision to locate the new military music centre at Deal in Kent.
§ Mr. LeeA number of factors were taken into account in selecting Deal as the future location of the Defence School of Music, including size, time scale, cost and other considerations.