§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the future location of GCHQ. [83810]
§ Mr. Robin CookI have agreed with Treasury colleagues that the project overall offers good value for the taxpayer, and I have authorised the Director of GCHQ to continue to negotiate with GSL through to contract signature. I have selected the current GCHQ site at Benhall in Cheltenham as the location for the new GCHQ building, subject to final agreement on a number of outstanding matters. I made the decision having regard to the Government's sustainable transport policies. I am very pleased that the long-standing association between GCHQ and Cheltenham is to be maintained.