Oral Answers to Questions — Defence – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 21 February 2000.
Mr Teddy Taylor
Conservative, Rochford and Southend East
12:00,
21 February 2000
If he will make a further statement on the future of the old and new ranges at Shoeburyness. [109416]
Dr Lewis Moonie
Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Chair, Finance and Services Committee, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Veterans), Chair, Finance and Services Committee
As my predecessor informed the House on 28 January, the whole of the old ranges and Horseshoe barracks, Shoeburyness, were sold, subject to contract, on 20 January 2000. As for the new ranges, the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency is now working with SERCO Ltd. to rationalise the estate and to introduce new business to co-exist with the continuing range activities, which may require the release of a small amount of land. DERA plans to brief the local community on that subject in early March and then jointly to agree a way forward.
Mr Teddy Taylor
Conservative, Rochford and Southend East
Is the Minister aware that members of the local community in Shoeburyness are a little disturbed because, although the site of the old ranges was sold in January, they have still not been told who bought it? Although we were given the strongest assurances from both DERA and SERCO that they would keep the local community advised about the new ranges, there have been no meetings so far. Will the hon. Gentleman take a personal interest in the issue; will he try to ensure that the local community is told what is happening; and, if need be, will he speak at a public meeting in Shoeburyness to tell the local community exactly what is happening with two delightful and very valuable sites?
Dr Lewis Moonie
Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Chair, Finance and Services Committee, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Veterans), Chair, Finance and Services Committee
I am sure that the hon. Gentleman is aware that we cannot make an announcement until the contracts are signed and everything is properly closed. I have the greatest sympathy for his constituents in the present situation. I shall do everything in my power to expedite the appropriate development of the site.
Gwyneth Dunwoody
Labour, Crewe and Nantwich
Will my hon. Friend tell me how many contracts SERCO has in the Ministry of Defence?
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
