§ Mr. HendryTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Castle Point (Dr. Spink), of 23 June 1994,Official Report, columns 247–48, if he is now in a position to announce the location for the second additional infantry battalion; and what other plans he has for Army use of the defence estate.
§ Mr. HanleyI have now decided that Oakington barracks, Oakington, which is currently the home of the 1st Battalion the Cheshire Regiment, should be retained as a permanent infantry barracks to cater for the second of the two additional infantry battalions announced on 3 February 1993,Official Report, column 320. The Gurkhas will move from Church Crookham to Elizabeth barracks, Pirbright around the end of 1996, not the end of 1994 as indicated in my previous answer of 23 June 1994, Official Report, columns 247–48. Under current plans, the Black Watch will remain in Pirbright until mid-1996. In addition, we have decided that RAF Hullavington, currently being used as temporary accommodation of 9 Supply Regiment Royal Logistic Corps should be retained in the defence estate for 173W the time being as the home of 9 Supply Regiment RLC which will now not move to Aldershot as previously planned.