HC Deb 28 January 1999 vol 324 cc330-1W
Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the operating costs for 101 Battalion REME based at Queensferry for the next five years. [68153]

Mr. Doug Henderson

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 17 December 1998,Official Report, column 656.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the interval of time between the decision to move 101 Battalion REME from Chorley Barracks to Queensferry and the announcement of the future structure of the Territorial Army on 17 November 1998. [68112]

Mr. Doug Henderson

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 26 January 1999,Official Report, column 164.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 15 December 1998,Official Report, column 450, what definition of South Lancashire his Department uses. [68159]

Mr. Doug Henderson

For the purpose of the question to which my hon. Friend refers, the definition used was the area of the county covered by the Lancashire South European Constituency.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide details of the cost of the transfer of computer equipment from Chorley to Queensferry 101 Battalion Headquarters. [68155]

Mr. Doug Henderson

No such details are available at this time.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the additional travelling costs that will be incurred by detachments travelling to Queensferry instead of Chorley when the 101 Battalion is transferred. [68156]

Mr. Doug Henderson

We anticipate that any increase in travelling costs incurred by units in Manchester and Grangemouth travelling to Queensferry, will be offset by reductions in such cost incurred by units travelling from Prestatyn and Coventry.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Cadet Force in Chorley. [68158]

Mr. Doug Henderson

My Department is still assessing the options for the Cadet Force in Chorley. I can confirm that any Cadets, whose current accommodation is affected by the restructuring of the Territorial Army, will not be obliged to move until suitable alternative accommodation has been provided.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the Territorial Army centres which he had planned to close or transfer as part of the Strategic Defence Review but which will now remain open; and if he will make a statement. [68072]

Mr. Doug Henderson

Of the Territorial Army Centres that we announced on 17 November 1998 were to close or transfer as part of the Strategic Defence Review none are now to remain open.