The Earl of Selkirkasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether a final decision has been reached in regard to the future of the Admiralty Research Establishment at Holton Heath, Poole, Dorset, and whether the social implications in any decision have been given full consideration by the department concerned.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (The Earl of Arran)Approval in principle has been given to the closure of the Admiralty Research Establishment site at Holton Health. A study is under way to review and to recommend the most appropriate alternative locations for the work based on a detailed investment appraisal. Only when the results of this study are available will a final decision about the future of the site be taken, and I can confirm that the social implications will be taken fully into account.