HC Deb 20 July 1994 vol 247 cc390-1W
Mr. David Shaw

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out the annual economic contribution of the intelligence centre at Templar barracks to East Kent including the value of goods and services purchased from local suppliers and direct and indirect employment.

Mr. Hanley

The defence intelligence centre buys in local goods and services to the approximate value of £220,000 a year. The centre employs 108 civilian and 136 military personnel, the majority of whom live locally and so contribute to the local economy.

Mr. David Shaw

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out the number of(a) civilian and (b) military personnel employed in the school of intelligence and the security school at the Templar barracks intelligence centre; and what is the maximum accommodation requirement for students during the course of a normal year.

Mr. Hanley

The defence intelligence and security school is an integral part of the defence intelligence centre. The centre employs 108 civilian and 136 military personnel of which 21 civilian and 45 military personnel work in the defence intelligence and security school. The centre has a throughput of approximately 3,000 students a year, around 2,500 of which attend courses at the defence intelligence and security school. The maximum number of students requiring accommodation at any one time is around 300.

Mr. David Shaw

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what effect the construction of a channel tunnel high-speed rail link will have on whether the intelligence centre can remain in Templar barracks at Ashford.

Mr. David Shaw

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the intelligence centre based at Templar barracks in Ashford and the long-term suitability of that location.

Mr. Hanley

The future organisation of defence intelligence is still being examined as part of continuing defence costs study into defence intelligence, which, as indicated in the report "Front Line First", is due to report by the end of July. The role of the defence intelligence centre at Templar barracks, Ashford, and the long-term suitability of that location in the light of the channel tunnel rail link, is being addressed in that context.