§ Mr. JamiesonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the projected annual cost of providing transport between Plymouth and Chivenor for marines who have been transferred to Chivenor but are quartered in Plymouth. [230]
§ Mr. SoamesA temporary bus service is currently in place, primarily for personnel whose families are awaiting a move into family quarters at Royal Marines barracks Chivenor. This interim arrangement is planned to last a matter of months, until the units settle into Chivenor, and it is estimated that it will cost less than £5,000. This sum was included in the investment appraisal attached to the consultation document published in July 1995.
§ Mr. JamiesonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the consultants appointed to advise his Department abut the transfer of marines from Plymouth to Chivenor; and if he will list their previous experience advising on military matters and the fees paid to them. [231]
§ Mr. SoamesThe feasibility study on the use of Chivenor by units of the Royal Marines Command was headed by DHV Consultants Ltd. of Plymouth, a firm experienced in consultancy work for the Ministry of Defence. Assisting in the overall study were the architects Stride Treglown, mechanical and electrical engineering specialists Torpy and Partners, and quantity surveyors A.L. Currie and Brown, all of Plymouth. The advice given by particular consultants was strictly confined to their areas of expertise as described. Military judgment and views were supplied by members of the Royal Marines Command and other relevant MOD branches. The cost of the option studies carried out was of the order of £130,000, inclusive of VAT.
§ Mr. JamiesonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the cost of capital building work carried out at RAF Chivenor since 1987, indicating when the work was carried out; and if he will give an assessment of the cost of additional capital work that will be required to accommodate the Royal Marines. [232]
§ Mr. SoamesSince 1987, £5,223,000 has been spent on capital works projects at RAF Chivenor. Work was carried out in 1987, 1992, and 1993. As indicated in the62W published consultative document, the estimated cost of capital works required to adapt existing facilities and provide new buildings at Chivenor to meet the agreed technical statements of requirements for the two units is £19.5 million.
§ Mr. JamiesonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the additional cost to be borne by Devon county council for road improvements resulting from the transfer of Royal Marines from Plymouth to Chivenor. [233]
§ Mr. SoamesThe ability of local roads to handle traffic from Royal Marines units moving to Chivenor formed part of the feasibility study which preceded the relocation proposal. Analysis was based on the use which the relevant units made of the roads in the Plymouth area and of the existing use made by civilian vehicles of the roads in North Devon. The North Devon authorities have been carefully consulted throughout. Overall, it was concluded that no road improvements would be needed as a direct result of these units moving to Chivenor.
§ Mr. JamiesonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of removing essential equipment from RAF Chivenor, following the decision to transfer the RAF; and what the cost will be of reinstating this equipment for use by the marines. [234]
§ Mr. SoamesThe Royal Air Force and Royal Marines have worked closely together on the handover of Chivenor. Beyond such things as catering and domestic equipment, which has been left in place, there is no overlap between the equipment essential to the operation of an RAF unit with 44 jet aircraft and that of two Royal Marine Command units holding a variety of specialist battlefield logistic and engineering equipment. No costs are therefore foreseen.
§ Mr. JamiesonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the Royal Marines transferring from Plymouth to Chivenor will occupy married quarters in North Devon; and how many will remain in the quarters in Plymouth. [235]
§ Mr. SoamesTo minimise family disruption, it is left to individual families to decide whether to move when its service member is posted elsewhere—subject to their current family quarter not being required for higher priority purposes. Nevertheless, indications are that a total of 156 Royal Marine Commando families will have moved to Chivenor by early in the new year.