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Ministry of Defence

Answer

Mr. Grogan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the restructuring of the Army district organisation in the United Kingdom. [75407] Mr. Doug Henderson: I announced in October that, subject to consultation with the Trades Unions, we planned to restructure the Army district organisation to produce a more effective and efficient framework for the administration of Army units in the United Kingdom. Following this consultation, I am now able to confirm that the restructuring will proceed as follows: the number of regional districts will reduce from six to three, covering Scotland and the North of England, Wales and the West of England and South-East England. Divisional headquarters for the higher administration of Army units in these regions will be at Craigiehall near Edinburgh, Shrewsbury and Aldershot. These reforms will also mean that the headquarters of the 3{rd} Division, based at Bulford in Wiltshire, will be freed of its regional administrative responsibilities and able to concentrate on its operational role including the command of its deployable units throughout the country. In addition, the London District headquarters will reduce to the status of a brigade headquarters and the headquarters of 43 (Wessex) Brigade will be transferred from Exeter to Bulford. As I announced on 2 March 1999, Official Report, column 657, units of the Defence Vetting Agency which are currently widespread around the country will be collocated at Imphal Barracks, York, making use of space vacated by the headquarters 2{nd} Division.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

326 c870W; 75407

Session

1998-99

Subjects

Staff Armed forces Administration Army Location Military bases Shrewsbury Defence Vetting Agency Aldershot Tidworth Garrison Craigiehall