HC Deb 22 May 2000 vol 350 c322W
Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is(a) the cost of and (b) the handover date for the new buildings at HQ Joint NBC Regiment at Winterbourne Gunner. [123117]

Mr. Spellar

The new buildings at Winterbourne Gunner are to house the Defence NBC Centre. The approximate cost of these is £7 million and the handover date will be 12 June.

Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations he held with(a) the county councils and (b) the district councils concerned before deciding to locate the Joint NBC Regiment at RAF Honington. [123115]

Mr. Spellar

The appropriate local authorities for the areas concerned were informed at the end of March 1999 that a study was under way to determine the best long term location for the Joint NBC Regiment. We did not receive any representations from the local authorities following these letters. Had we done so, we would of course have given them due consideration. The appropriate local authorities are also being informed following my recent announcement.

Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what new buildings will be constructed at RAF Honington, at what cost and over what time scale, to accommodate the Joint NBC Regiment; and if will make a statement. [123118]

Mr. Spellar

It is likely that a new office block, training complex and hangar works will be required. Additional single living accommodation will also need to be built. The estimated maximum cost of these works is £9 million.

Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Joint NBC Regiment based at RAF Honington train at(a) DERA-CBD Porton Down, (b) Salisbury Plain Training Area and (c) elsewhere; and if he will make a statement. [123121]

Mr. Spellar

The Joint NBC Regiment trains at Porton Down, Salisbury Plain and elsewhere, for example, on Stanford Training Area, close to RAF Honington.

Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if(a) secure voice communications and (b) secure information technology networks are in place between RAF Honington and Defence NBC Centre at Winterbourne Gunner. [123120]

Mr. Spellar

Yes.