HL Deb 23 June 1994 vol 556 cc27-8WA
Lord Gainford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are now in a position to announce the future locations of units returning from Germany and Hong Kong, and for the second additional infantry battalion.

Viscount Cranborne

A number of options have been considered for permanent barracks required for three Army units returning from Germany in 1995, for one of the battalions returning from Hong Kong, and for the Gurkhas. I am pleased to announce that it has been decided that the following locations will be retained by the Army as permanent barracks:

  1. i. The Gurkhas, currently in Church Crookham near Aldershot, will move to Elizabeth Barracks, Pirbright around the end of the year. Until that time Pirbright will house the Black Watch, returning in July from Hong Kong.
  2. ii. The Army Apprentice College, Chepstow will be converted into a permanent infantry barracks and will be the home for the 1 st Battalion The Royal Welch Fusiliers from December 1995.
  3. iii. 14 Signals Regiment, returning from Germany, will be housed permanently in RAF Brawdy from WA 28 December 1995. Until then, RAF Brawdy will be used as temporary accommodation for the 1st Battalion The Royal Welch Fusiliers.
  4. iv. 16 Regiment Royal Artillery (Air Defence), returning from Germany, is to be located at the Royal Artillery Barracks, Woolwich by November 1995. Woolwich is the historic home of the Royal Artillery.
  5. v. 39 Regiment Royal Artillery, returning from Germany, is to be located at Albemarle Barracks, Ouston from November 1995.

We are still considering possible locations for another permanent infantry barracks to cater for the second of the two additional infantry battalions announced on 3 February 1993. We hope to be able to make a further announcement very soon.