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Project Horizon

Volume 329: debated on Monday 19 April 1999

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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on developments in Project Horizon. [81044]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence plans to meet his French and Italian colleagues shortly to discuss the way forward for the Horizon programme.

Location changes
TA centreAnnounced occupantsRevised plan
Middlesborough—(Stockton Road TA Centre)Was to be base to full infantry company plus Pioneer detachment1. Stockton Road retains infantry company less a Plantoon detachment which will instead be based Coulby Newham TA Centre
2. Pionner detachment to be based at Cramlington TA Centre
ScarboroughWas to be base to full infantry companyScarborough retains infantry company less a platoon detachment, to be based at Northallerton TA Centre (Which was to have remained open only for cadets).
TelfordTelford to retain two TA Centres (one with ammunition squadron, the other with yeomanry headquarters squadron and surgical squadron)Surgical squadron to go to Copthorne Barracks, Shrewsbury (to co-locate with infantry company). Telford still retains two TA Centres.
NewcastleDebdon Gardens was to be base to whole of 219 Field SquadronA detachment of 219 Squadron to be based at Sunderland TA Centre. Debdon Gardens remains open for other units.
Changed timings/rolls
UnitAnnounced planProposed plan
Headquarters Squadron 21 Signal Regiment (a TA sub unit in a regular regiment)Due to move from Trowbridge to Oxford become part of new radio support regimentMove from Trowbridge as planned but to be housed temporarily at Bath before moving to Oxfoes, upon formation of radio support regiment which is delayed.
43 Squardron 21 Signal Regiment (a TA sub unit in a regular regiment)Due to move from Bridgewater to Bath to become part of new radio support regimentMove to Bath as planned but retain current 21 Signal Regiment air support role until later re-roled to radio support regiment
Royal Yeomanry Squadron, SloughDue to disband 1 July 1999Retain until 1 June 2000
Royal Wessex Yeomanry Headquarters Squadron CirencesterWas to assume Nuclear Biological and Chemical roleAssume armoured role. The Second Nuclear Biological and Chemical squadron now to be Royal Yeomanary Headquarters Squadron in London.