HC Deb 23 June 1994 vol 245 cc247-8W
Mr. Peter Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about possible defence agency status for the Royal Navy's training and recruiting organisation.

Mr. Hanley

I have decided that the Royal Navy's flag officer training and recruiting organisation, FOTR, should be considered as a candidate for defence agency status under the next steps initiative. FOTR currently employs 5,400 staff and has some 15 major training schools across the country. Of those 3,900 are service personnel who rotate between front-line operational appointments and the FOTR organisation, thus providing current knowledge, experience and expertise; the remaining 1,500 are civilians.

A "prior options" study of FOTR's organisation is being undertaken.

Comments and contributions from those with an interest in the organisation would be welcome and should be sent, by 8 August, to:

  • Head of Naval Personnel Finance & Systems
  • 2SL/CNH
  • Victory Building
  • HM Naval Base
  • Portsmouth PO1 3LS