HC Deb 20 December 1994 vol 251 cc1196-7W
Mr. Sykes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about possible defence agency status for the Army's technical branches and authorities.

Mr. Soames

I have decided that Army technical support should be considered as a candidate for agency status, under the next steps procedures. A "prior options" study is under way to establish whether agency status or other options would be appropriate and an entry to this effect appeared in the December 1994 market-testing bulletin. I would welcome comments from interested parties; these should be sent by 26 January 1995 to: Major General P.J.G. Corp, Director General Equipment Support (Army), HQ QMG, Monxton road, Andover, Hants, SP11 8HT.