Written question asked by Hugh Bayley (Labour) on Monday, 10 January 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 12 January 2011. It was answered by Gerald Howarth (Conservative) on Monday, 17 January 2011 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

15 Brigade Headquarters

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the capital cost of bringing Bourlon Barracks at Catterick up to the standard required for use as a brigade or garrison headquarters; if he will estimate the staff redundancy and recruitment costs which would arise from moving 15 Brigade headquarters from York to Catterick; and if he will carry out a full investment appraisal before deciding where to locate the 15 Brigade headquarters.

Answer: Bourlon Barracks is being retained as a site for future development within the Catterick Long Term Development Plan, which could see additional units being moved to Catterick. No estimate of costs involved has been made since there are no firm plans at present.A project team has been set up to review the headquarters structure of the Regional Divisions and Brigades within the UK and it is currently looking at the functional responsibilities and span of control of each of the Brigades. This work is expected to be completed later this year.

Secondary information