§ Mr. Duncan SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 21 December 2000,Official Report, column 253W, which Royal Navy shore establishments are under review with respect to possible amalgamation or closure. [158526]
§ Mr. SpellarA comprehensive review of the utilisation of the Royal Navy's training estate has identified possible efficiencies but is not yet fully complete and requires further work. This work is being taken forward, in conjunction with proposals for the rationalisation of specialist training which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced in the House as part of the Defence Training Review on 27 March 2001,Official Report, columns 545–46W, to determine the optimum mix of shore establishments to meet the training 94W needs of the Royal Navy. It is not possible to confirm which establishments might be affected until this further work has been completed.
As I announced in a written answer to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) on 30 March 2001, Official Report, column 788W, formal consultation is currently under way with the departmental trade unions regarding the proposed streamlining and re-location to Portsmouth of elements of the Commander in Chief Fleet's Headquarters from Northwood as a result of the Fleet First study. No decision will be taken on the re-location until the formal consultation process is complete. Comments have been invited from the unions by 15 May 2001.