HC Deb 15 July 1991 vol 195 cc90-1W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the planned establishment of the proposed Ministry of Defence guard force;

(2) what is the estimated annual equipment budget for the proposed Ministry of Defence civilian guard force; and from which subheads of which votes these funds will be taken;

(3) what is the estimated total annual running cost of the proposed Ministry of Defence civilian guard force; and from which subheads of which votes these funds will be taken;

(4) what is the estimated annual personnel cost of the proposed Ministry of Defence civilian guard force; and from which subheads of which votes these funds will be taken.

Mr. Cartwright

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department's new guard force is planned to come into operation; how many staff will be employed; on what terms and conditions; and at what estimated annual cost.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

As I announced on 26 April 1991, at columns572–73, in an answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Hampshire, East (Mr. Mates), the new Ministry of Defence guard service will come into being on 1 April 1992.

Its initial strength will be drawn from some 3,000 civilian personnel in existing patrolling, watching and similar grades including the present Ministry of Defence headquarters guard force. The ultimate size of the service is uncertain at present because account will need to be taken of the consequences of "Options for Change" on the number of locations to be guarded in the longer term.

The terms and conditions on which the guard service personnel will serve are currently being negotiated. It is estimated that the annual running costs of the new service, predominantly personnel, but including clothing and some equipment, will be about £37.5 million but there are compensating savings notably in personnel costs of existing staff who will be assimilated into it.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated cost of setting up the proposed Ministry of Defence civilian guard force; and from which subheads of which votes these funds will be taken.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The estimated cost of setting up the MOD guard service is £.2.5 million in the current financial year. This falls within vote sub heads 1A1, 1BI, ICI, 1D1, 1D2, 1E1, 1G1, 1L2 and 1L9 and relates to the formation of an implementation team to plan the adminstration and training of the service, and to the provision of clothing and equipment in readiness for its introduction on 1 April 1992.