HL Deb 29 January 2003 vol 643 cc159-61WA
Lord Burlison

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether a decision has been taken to build a defence sixth form college. [HL1328]

Lord Bach

Our intention to develop a defence sixth form college was initially announced by my right honourable friend the Defence Secretary (Mr Hoon) in answer to a Question by my honourable friend the Member for Reading West (Mr Salter, on 27 March 2001 (Official Report, cols. 547–48W in another place) on the outcome of the Defence Training Review. On 24 January 2002 (col. 994W) my right honourable friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces (Mr Ingram) gave an update in another place on the project, at which time no decisions had been taken on where the college would be built or how it would be procured.

We are now able to inform the House that we have concluded that a public-private partnership (PPP) offers best value for money for provision of the facilities and services required by the college. We have selected the Minerva consortium, which comprises Interserve plc, HSBC and TQ Education and Training Ltd, as the preferred bidder, and are now engaged in negotiations to conclude a contract.

This being the site selected by the preferred bidder, the defence sixth form college will be built on the site of the disused barracks outside Woodhouse, near Loughborough. It will open in September 2005, at which time the present army sixth form college at Welbeck Abbey will close.