§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what arrangements he has made to ensure the continued efficient operation of the Army Medal Office at Droitwich Spa in the period before its planned closure; [175005]
(2) if he will ensure the Army Medal Office at Droitwich Spa is able to (a) purchase equipment and (b) recruit staff in the period before the planned closure. [175006]
§ Mr. CaplinAs I said in my answer of 13 May 2004,Official Report, column 556W, the phased closure of the Army Medal Office is part of a risk reduction strategy aimed at minimising disruption to medal service delivery. The work currently in hand to support that strategy includes an analysis of the benefits for service delivery of early equipment purchase and staff 1614W recruitment either at Droitwich or at Innsworth. Where such action is cost-effective, to assist in the smooth transfer of responsibilities and reduce the impact on service delivery, it will be done.
§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will visit the Army Medal Office in Droitwich Spa to discuss its proposed closure with the staff. [175007]
§ Mr. CaplinI have no plans to do so at the present time, but will consider the matter further later in the year.
§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 13 May 2004,Official Report, column 555W, on Defence Medal Offices, over what period the closure of the Army Medal Office will be phased. [175027]
§ Mr. CaplinDetailed work on an implementation timetable cannot begin until the staff preference exercise has been concluded at the end of this month. That work will need to take into account the risk reduction strategies that are currently being developed.
It is not expected that a detailed implementation plan will be available until early autumn.
§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 12 May 2004,Official Report, column 328W, on the Defence Medal Office, when he will place in the Library a copy of the Investment Appraisal for the proposed closure of the Army Medal Office in Droitwich Spa. [175045]
§ Mr. CaplinA copy of the Investment Appraisal was placed in the Library on 20 May 2004.