§ Mr. McAllionTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the existing training divisions or establishments in the United Kingdom which form part of the Royal Naval Reserve; which of these are to be closed; and why they have been selected for closure.
§ Mr. HanleyI refer the hon. Member to the consultation document on the future of Britain's naval reserve forces, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.
A number of factors were taken into consideration. Many units were designed largely to support their mine countermeasure, naval control of shipping and defence of ports and anchorage roles which are no longer required. Also relevant is the need for a geographical spread of reserve centres throughout the United Kingdom in the areas of good recruitment, the state of repair of the buildings and maintenance running costs. These proposals are subject to consultation which will extend up to 30 July.