§ Mr. Alan SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the Government's policy on the Army Foundation College. [9808]
§ Dr. ReidThe Army Foundation College is part of the manning of the army strategy, which aims to return the Army to full manning by 2002. The college will provide young people aged between 16 and 17 destined for the Royal Armoured Corps, the Royal Artillery and the infantry, with vocational, adventurous leadership and basic military training and will also give them a good grounding in six NCVQ key skills. On graduation from the college, they will go on to trade training before joining the Field Army. The intention is that the college will be funded through the private finance initiative. Until this process is complete, we cannot therefore be certain of the college's location, although the successful contractor will be offered the site of the former Apprentices' college in Harrogate.