§ Mr. MurphyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has in respect of the rail head at the Army vehicle depot at Ludgershall. [2224]
§ Mr. SoamesWe intend to retain part of the Army vehicle depot at Ludgershall after its closure in March 1997 to provide railhead facility for land command units. The development of a railhead facility close to the Salisbury plain training area would facilitate future operational deployments and enhance pre-deployment training, as well as having had significant advantages for 519W routine training, including a significantly reduced requirement for the use of public roads by heavy equipment transport vehicles.