§ Mr. Keith SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if the Joint Defence Centre will be co-located with the Joint Services Command and Staff College; [51300]
(2) if (a) the Commandant of the Joint Defence Centre and (b) the Commandant of the Joint Service Command and Staff College will be required to have attended the Higher Command and Staff Course; [51294]
(3) what savings will be achieved in single service doctrine centres by the establishment of the Joint Defence Centre; [51295]
(4) who the Commandant of the Joint Defence Centre will report to in the chain of command; [51296]
(5) what are the projected costs of the Joint Defence Centre. [51299]
§ Mr. George Robertson[holding answer 20 July 1998]: Following the Strategic Defence Review (Cm 3999) I have established a study team to consider the detailed responsibilities, organisation, location, resources and costs associated with the formation of a Joint Defence Centre. The team is due to report at the end of the year. It would be premature to comment in advance of their findings.
The work of the Joint Defence Centre will be overseen at the highest level; detailed arrangements for the command and management of the centre are also being examined by the study team.
I intend that the Joint Defence Centre will be central to development of our joint Service vision and integral to our strategic planning process. As such I place greatest emphasis on the experience and calibre of those appointed to command and staff the centre, as I would for any officer holding a key joint appointment.
§ Mr. Keith SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the projected cost of the construction of the Joint Services Command and Staff College at Shrivenham. [51298]
§ Mr. George Robertson[holding answer 20 July 1998]: Defence Management (Watchfield) Ltd. is contracted to provide a complete service in support of the teaching and accommodation facilities at the JSCSC at Watchfield, for which it will be paid a monthly service charge on the basis of usage. The Net Present Value of the payments is assessed to be about £200M over the 30 year contract period. My Department does not make a specific payment to cover construction costs.