§ Mr. DevlinTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what stage he has reached in his consideration of the most cost effective location for those parts of the directorate general of defence quality assurance now at Woolwich and Bromley.
§ Mr. SainsburyI have concluded that a move to Preston farm in Teesside is the most cost-effective solution for the headquarters and laboratories of the directorate general of defence quality assurance now at Woolwich and Bromley. The move would concentrate the headquarters functions and main laboratories of the directorate on a single site with fully modern facilities, while at the same time releasing the Woolwich and Bromley sites for disposal and redevelopment. We will be consulting the trades unions, as is normal practice. Some 1,500 jobs are involved, of which about 650 would be good quality scientific and engineering posts and about 250 would be for apprentices.