ROYAL NAVAL ENGINEERING COLLEGE , MANADON (Hansard, 25 May 1993)

Viscount Cranborne

The future requirement for naval engineer officer training has been reviewed in the light of reduced future numbers of engineer officers, the need to make economies in support infrastructure and the increased availability of higher education in the civilian sector. The review has concluded that the most cost effective way to meet the Navy's future needs for engineer officers is to establish a sponsorship scheme based on a civilian university. Under this scheme, which would complement the existing direct graduate recruitment, students would study for an engineering degree relevant to naval needs, and upon successfully completing the course would be offered a commission in the Navy. This would replace the in-service engineering degree training currently provided at Manadon.

We have accepted this recommendation as the basis for consultation and a final decision will be taken in the light of representations made. A consultation document is being issued to interested parties and I am arranging for a copy to be placed in the Library of the House. Unless alternative uses for it could be found, Manadon would close in 1995, with consequent implications for the 175 civilian staff employed there. Manadon has a long and proud tradition and has served the Navy well. But in today's circumstances other means exist of providing high quality training for naval engineer officers and it is right that they should be utilised.