§ Miss McIntoshTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the number of people to be employed by the Defence Vetting Agency; when he expects the Agency to move to York; and if he will make a statement. [78629]
§ Mr. Doug HendersonThe current strength of the Defence Vetting Agency is about 365. This is planned to reduce to 310 when the Agency collocates at York. The precise dates for collocation and the exact figures depend on a number of associated matters which are not yet determined in detail. However, it is planned to start collocating in early 2000 and complete by early 2001. The Agency's plans will be co-ordinated carefully with the move of HQ 2nd Division to Edinburgh, to take up surplus staff at York, as far as possible and appropriate as they become available.