§ Lady Olga MaitlandTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what decision he has made about the future occupancy of Elizabeth barracks, Pirbright. [18426]
§ Mr. SoamesAs announced by my right hon. Friend the then Minister of State for the Armed Forces on 5 July 1994,Official Report, column 173, it had been intended to move the Gurkha battalion based at Church Crookham to Elizabeth barracks, Pirbright at the end of 1996. We have revised this plan in the light of the decision to replace one of the three Foot Guard battalions currently engaged on public duties by a line infantry battalion, so as to enable the Foot Guards battalion to increase the proportion of its effort employed on training for its operational roles.
The Foot Guards battalion concerned will continue to provide reinforcements for public duties on a surge basis, and it is therefore our intention that it should be based at Elizabeth barracks, Pirbright where it can fulfil this role and undertake effective operational training. The Gurkhas will move instead to Sir John Moore barracks at Shorncliffe in early 1999. Sir John Moore barracks will be modernised during the intervening period. We are confident that these moves make the most efficient use of the Army's resources, including the defence estate, and meet its operational priorities in the most effective way.