HC Deb 21 October 1991 vol 196 cc445-6W
Mr. Home Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current role and annual cost of the Royal Navy Reserve communications training centres HMS Hallam, Paragon, Palatine and Essex; why they are to be paid off; and what Royal Navy Reserve training in communications is to be retained.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces will write to the hon. Member.

Mr. Home Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Royal Navy Reserve port diving branch.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

Further to the answer my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Dorset, South (Mr. Bruce) on 24 July, at column705, the Royal Naval Reserve port diving branch will be disbanded from 31 March 1992.

Mr. Home Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason Royal Navy Reserve sea training centres HMS President and HMS Camperdown are to lose the use of HMS Humber and HMS Helmsdale; and what sea training facilities will he available to Royal Navy Reserve personnel in London and Dundee after the disposal of these ships.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

Further to the answer my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces gave my hon. Friend the Member for Dorset, South (Mr. Bruce) on 24 July 1991, at column705, the majority of HMS President's sea training is provided at Portsmouth which is where HMS Humber is based. In future, access to sea training for HMS President personnel will be available at HMS Sussex in Brighton and HMS Wessex in Southampton. As for HMS Camperdown, sea training facilities will be shared with HMS Claverhouse in Edinburgh. Both HMS Humber and HMS Helmsdale will be placed in reserve.

Mr. Home Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those Royal Navy Reserve branches which are to be abolished, showing the numbers of volunteers affected in each case, and the annual cost.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces will write to the hon. Member.

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