§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if it is his policy to reduce overcrowding at barracks in Bulford; and what assessment he has made of the number involved. [24873]
§ Mr. SoamesIt is our policy that soldiers should, wherever possible, live in appropriately scaled accommodation. To this end, an assessment was made of the barracks at Bulford which showed that the single soldier accommodation was significantly overcrowded and in need of refurbishment. The move from Bulford of 249 Signal Squadron and the Allied Command Europe Mobile Force (Land) Combat Service support battalion will ease the overcrowding problem and allow the existing accommodation to be refurbished. It will also enable more efficient use to be made of the barracks at Colerne and Hullavington to which these units will relocate.
§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will replace the 350 service personnel due to vacate Bulford barracks in 1997 and 1998 with a like number; and if he will make a statement. [24874]
§ Mr. SoamesThere are currently no plans to make any significant increases in the number of Army personnel based at Bulford. The deployment of Army units and the use of the defence estate are, however, kept under review to ensure that defence resources are employed cost effectively while maximising operational capabilities.
§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when 249 Signal Squadron will vacate Bulford barracks; [24918]
(2) when Allied Command Europe Mobile Force (Land) Combat Service support battalion will vacate Bulford barracks. [24919]
§ Mr. SoamesWe expect both of these moves to occur during 1998, but the precise timings have yet to be decided.