§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the HQ at Northwood will close; what sites are being considered as a replacement; and if he will make a statement. [155802]
§ Mr. Spellar [holding answer 27 March 2001]I have authorised the start of formal consultations with the departmental trades unions regarding the proposed streamlining and relocation to Portsmouth of elements of the Commander in Chief Fleet's Headquarters. Under these proposals the Commander in Chief Fleet, who also holds key NATO appointments, would remain at Northwood with his national and NATO operations staffs and other site occupants including the Chief of Joint Operations. Northwood will remain a core MOD site for the foreseeable future.