§ Sir Ivan LawrenceTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about Defence agency status for defence communication services.[39548]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotCurrently responsibilities for Defence wide-area communications systems and information transfer services are spread widely across my Department. Staff currently employed in these areas number approximately 2,200 located in about 150 sites throughout the UK and overseas. The UK elements of these are likely to reduce considerably as the transfer of most of the Defence fixed telecommunications systems to the private sector takes place.
Responsibility for the remainder of the Defence wide-area communications systems and information services is to be rationalised and considered as a candidate for Defence agency status—as the De fence Communications Services Agency—under the next steps initiative.
A study is being undertaken to establish whether agency status or other options would be appropriate. I would welcome comments from interested parties. These should be sent to:
- Major General W. J. P. Robins
- DGICS
- Ministry of Defence
- Room 1253
- Main Building
- Whitehall
- London
- SW1A 2HB