§ The Earl of Cork and Orreryasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are now in a position to make a statement on the future of St. Patrick's Barracks, Ballymena.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces (Lord Trefgarne)Yes. Following the review of army training carried out by General Groom we have decided that adult training for the Royal Irish Rangers, together with certain Territorial Army and318WA other reserve activities, will continue at St. Patrick's Barracks, Ballymena. However, junior soldiers of the Regiment will in future be trained at Ouston, Northumberland, with their junior leaders and the juniors of certain other regiments. We are also examining ways in which the accommodation at St. Patrick's released by the move of the juniors might be utilised for other military purposes, possibly by the TA. Overall, the reorganisation of junior training is expected to achieve civilian manpower savings of about 100, release significant numbers of military personnel to more operational duties, and produce capital savings of about £8 million.