HC Deb 13 February 2001 vol 363 cc88-9W
Mr. Menzies Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent on employing short-term locums by the Defence Secondary Care Agency in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [149894]

Dr. Moonie

I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Mr. Menzies Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what mess facilities are available to DMS officers at the Centre for Defence Medicine in Birmingham; when a dedicated officers' mess for personnel at the centre will be established; and if he will make a statement. [149895]

Dr. Moonie

Currently, there are no dedicated mess facilities for Defence Medical Services (DMS) officers at the Centre for Defence Medicine, which is to open in April in Birmingham. In the short-term, arrangements are being made to hold some mess functions at other officers' mess facilities in the local area. Several options to provide mess facilities in the longer term are now being explored. Precise time scales cannot be determined, but we envisage having such facilities in place within about four years.