Army Training (Germany)

HC Deb 17 October 1991 vol 196 cc221-2W

Mr. Sayeed

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what future arrangements he anticipates for Army training in Germany.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

My right hon. Friend has now agreed with the German Minister of Defence new arrangements to maintain effective training for the British Army of the Rhine. These will allow the Army to dispense with exercising in the Soltau-Luneburg area. Dr. Stoltenberg is providing alternative exercising oppor-tunities in existing training areas of the Bundeswehr.

The withdrawal from Soltau-Luneburg as a military exercise area is planned in the following phases: 1992 Withdrawal from a major area south west of Luneburg and substantial extension of the summer break period. 1993 Withdrawal from east of Bundesautobahn 7 and maintaining the extended summer break period. 1994 Ending of all military training in Soltau-Luneburg by mid 1994.

Industrial tribunals (England and Wales): waiting time for cases to come to first hearing
Region-period	Under (weeks)
	6	8	10	12	16	20	26
Bristol
1 April 1991 to 15 October 1991	1	2	3	5	35	61	82
1 April 1990 to 31 March 1991	4	14	27	41	64	76	89
1 April 1989 to 31 March 1990	6	25	41	57	74	82	89
1 April 1988 to 31 March 1989	10	31	48	61	77	84	90
1 April 1987 to 31 March 1988	3	21	41	57	75	84	92
1 April 1986 to 31 March 1987	3	15	36	54	73	82	93
Bristol
1 April 1991 to 15 October 1991	13	28	50	59	73	83	93
1 April 1990 to 31 March 1991	8	19	37	49	70	81	90
1 April 1989 to 31 March 1990	10	30	46	58	77	88	96
1 April 1988 to 31 March 1989	13	26	37	49	68	76	84

These substantial reductions of burdens on the Soltau-Luneburg area in 1992 and the ending of British military training in that area by mid-1994 are the result of successful efforts by the two Defence Ministers. The mutually agreed solution became possible as a result of the restructuring and reduction of the armed forces of NATO in a changed security environment in Europe.

We would like to express our appreciation to Dr. Stoltenberg for the offer of excellent alternative training facilities which has made it possible for us to cease using Soltau-Luneburg, as the German Government wished.