Written question asked by Michael Colvin (Conservative), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 21 January 1997. It was answered by Lord Soames of Fletching (Conservative) on Tuesday, 21 January 1997 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: If he will publish a timetable for the rundown of his Department's jobs on Gibraltar and to comment on measures taken to assist in the retraining of military personnel for alternative employment.

Answer: Mr. Colvin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish a timetable for the rundown of his Department's jobs on Gibraltar and make a statement on measures taken to assist in the retraining of military personnel for alternative employment. [11819] Mr. Soames: The 1994 review of the Gibraltar garrison, which identified the core tasks in Gibraltar and associated manpower levels required, made reductions in military and civilian strengths possible. The reduction in military posts is now virtually complete. The reduction in civilian posts will take place over the next few years, primarily in 1998 and 1999; precise details have yet to be established. There are no military redundancies specifically related to this rundown but my Department is working closely with the Gibraltar Government and the trades unions on providing suitable re-training of civilian personnel for alternative employment.

Secondary information