HL Deb 01 February 1995 vol 560 cc113-4WA
Lord Vivian

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why empty barracks accommodation could not be found in southern England for the purpose of relocating the Army personnel branches at Stanmore.

Lord Henley

A number of empty barracks in southern England were examined as potential sites for the offices located at Stanmore. The buildings considered proved to be unsuitable for modern office accommodation or the support of the new information technology required by the integrated Army personnel centre. Investment appraisal additionally demonstrated these sites to be more expensive than Kentigern House in Glasgow.

Lord Vivian

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What other locations were examined to relocate the existing army personnel branches at Stanmore and what would have been the costs of relocating in areas more adjacent to where the majority of the Army is stationed.

Lord Henley

Around 50 locations throughout the United Kingdom were initially identified as potential sites for the Army Personnel Centre and a total of 15 were examined closely. These included a number in southern England, but none were found to offer the economic advantages of co-location in Glasgow.

Lord Vivian

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the total costs involved in moving Army personnel branches from Stanmore to Glasgow and whether the current lease at Stanmore could have been extended.

Lord Henley

The costs of establishing the Army Personnel Centre cannot be allocated to individual sites, and they are commercially confidential. The site at Stanmore is a Government owned freehold property and is not held on a lease. It is anticipated that the offices to be vacated will be occupied by other government departments.

Lord Vivian

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have any plans to reconsider the move of Army personnel branches from Stanmore to Glasgow on the grounds of expense.

Lord Henley

There are no plans to reconsider this move.