§ Mr. HealdTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department has concluded its consideration of the future of the Royal Marines school of music, Deal; and if he will make a statement. [26693]
§ Mr. SoamesOur proposal to transfer the Royal Marines school of music from Deal was announced by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 14 July 1994,Official Report, column 1171. A consultation document was issued on 17 October. We have considered very carefully all the representations made during the consultation period.
I can now announce that we have decided to confirm the preferred option contained in the consultative document. The Royal Marines school of music will therefore transfer from Deal to Portsmouth, by spring 1966, where it will be housed in the Royal Naval detention quarters. They will not be required for their present purpose from the autumn of this year, and can be refurbished at modest cost to adapt them for the Royal Marines school of music.
The move will result in significant savings for the Defence budget. The closure of the stand-alone site at Deal, which is far too large for its present purpose, and the removal of the school to within the perimeter of the larger naval base at Portsmouth will save about £3 million per year in support costs. No significant additional support costs will be incurred at Portsmouth where the naval base has adequate infrastructure to absorb the relatively small school of music. The case for the transfer of the Royal Marines school of music has been thoroughly discussed with all interested parties including the hon. Member for Dover (Mr. Shaw), who has represented his constituents' views with understandable vigour. Indeed, of the many measures arising as a result of the "Defence Costs Study", the decision to close the Royal Marines school of music at Deal is one taken only with the greatest regret and in view of the clear financial case. We fully recognise the warm and close relationship which has grown up between the people of Deal and the Royal Marines in an association which dates back to 1664. I know that successive generations of recruits have been grateful for the friendliness and support they have received.