To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have for the future of Wellington barracks.

My Lords, as I told the House on 8 October last year, usage of the defence estate is reviewed continuously. However, under current plans, Wellington barracks will remain the key location in London for the execution of state, ceremonial and public duties for the foreseeable future. There are no plans to dispose of Wellington barracks.

My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for that reply. Is she aware that, with my noble friend Lord Lyell and the noble Lord, Lord Lee of Trafford, I visited Wellington barracks last year, following up on a visit the previous year? We were very well looked after. Is the noble Baroness further aware that someone said, “Last year it was very grotty and this year it is merely grotty”? Work is some weeks behind. Does she agree that the uncertainty about future funding is very worrying? Finally, is she aware that the basement area where the cars are kept is still flooding?

My Lords, I am aware of the visit and also of some improvements that have been made, which the group who visited has acknowledged. The drainage problems and major defects have been identified, the junior ranks mess has been significantly improved and there have been significant changes. There are still problems and there is still work to be done. Money is tight and it has been decided, as far as concerns the defence estates, to concentrate on living accommodation rather than band accommodation. I know that that disappoints some people, but it reflects a priority that most would accept.

My Lords, I will never forget my visit to Wellington barracks with the noble Baroness, because I got stuck in a lift with the top brass and officials, and it took a good five or six minutes to get out. The occasion is etched indelibly in my memory. Is not the problem with Wellington barracks indicative of the fact that the defence budget is in serious trouble? Does the noble Baroness agree that the nation now has to choose either to put more resources into defence and remain a premier military power, or to drop down to a superior, very effective but still second-division military power?

My Lords, I am aware of the fact that the delegation got stuck in a lift. Those who were present had—shall we say?—a little extended briefing. I have been assured that the flick relay component that caused the problem has been fixed and that the lift is now functioning. I am sure that that will reassure any Member of the House who visits in future.

As for the defence budget, I remind the House that we are spending £35.4 billion on defence, which does not include the significant cost of operations. By 2010-11, the defence budget will be 10 per cent higher in real terms than it was in 1997. As that marks the longest period of sustained growth since the 1980s, it should be reassuring.

My Lords, in relation to planning inquiries and the future of barracks, does the noble Baroness not agree that it is an outrageous abuse of his position for a member of the Royal Family to seek to influence another royal family in order to secure his preferred solution to a planning inquiry?

My Lords, I anticipated that that question might be asked and decided that it would be wiser not to comment.

My Lords, I thank the Minister for her helpful comments. The noble Lord, Lord Lee, pointed out that there were considerable problems with the Ministry of Defence budget. The Minister is doing a great job but can she please push on with one of the last elements, about which I shall let her department know? I was very encouraged that she mentioned the figure of 10 per cent for the next financial year 2010-11. That will be a considerable help to the new arrivals at Wellington barracks. We thank her for that. Will she please keep us posted on the details?

My Lords, the 10 per cent figure was the total growth in defence budgets since 1997. I am sure that noble Lords who have visited Wellington barracks will keep a close eye on the situation. I know that, through the work of the defence group, the noble Lord, Lord Lyell, tries to get a good cross-section of visits. Perhaps he will consider some of the improvements that we have made, such as those at Woolwich barracks. It might be useful to see some of the spending that has gone into very successful projects.

As to the future, I am sure that the whole House will be aware that my honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Kevan Jones, announced earlier this week that there would be an advance of £50 million this year from the Treasury to improve service accommodation. Those funds will allow us to target improvements in accommodation for those returning from operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, which I think we would all welcome.

My Lords, the noble Baroness said that the flick relay mechanism had gone phut in Wellington barracks, thus causing a great deal of embarrassment for the senior staff and some of your Lordships who were guests. She says that it has now been repaired. What makes the noble Baroness think that it will not flick again causing equal embarrassment on some other occasion?

My Lords, I doubt that the lifts in Wellington barracks are any less or any more reliable than some in this House.