News Release

27th October 2005

WHITTINGTON BARRACKS DECISION DELAYED AGAIN

A decision as to the future of Whittington Barracks near Lichfield has been delayed yet again Defence Minister Don Touhig has told Michael Fabricant. In answer to Parliamentary Questions from Michael regarding whether the Defence Medical Education and Training Agency will be based at Lichfield and, if not, what will be the future of the barracks, Michael was told "a decision will now not be made before February 2006".

Michael Fabricant says: "Earlier this year, in April just before the General Election, the then Minister, Ivor Caplin, said a decision on the Army Training Regiment would be made in June 2005. These continued reviews, delays, and indecision into the future of the barracks is demotivating staff and blighting house prices in the area. At least we have had temporary reassurance that the barracks will not become an asylum seekers camp. Even if the both reports are finally completed by February 2006, a ministerial decision may not be made for months afterwards".

Minister for the Army, Don Touhig, has told Michael Fabricant: "The future of Whittington Barracks is subject to two outstanding studies. One concerns the co-location of elements of the Defence Medical Educational Training Agency into the site. The other is a study into the capacity requirements for Phase 1 soldier training, which seeks to determine the most economical use of the existing Phase 1 training real estate in the long term. Both of these studies are now due to report in February 2006 and no decisions will be made before that date." Phase 1 soldier training is undertaken by the Army Training Regiment currently based at Whittington and other locations. The Government is seeking to close at least one training centre.