The future of Sir John Moore Barracks has once again been raised in the House of Commons by MP Steve Brine.
Mr Brine questioned the Government’s disposal of ATR Winchester and said what comes in its place continues to cause “great anxiety” for local residents.
Speaking at Defence Questions in the Commons, he asked the Minister of State for Defence Procurement, Jeremy Quin; “As we reduce the size of the army in pursuit of the future soldier proposals of the Integrated Review, it is obvious that some consolidation will be needed around the training estate, but I want to know if the Minister shares my concern about losing what is a good facility at the ATR Winchester?
“Especially given the conflict of the present and, I suspect, for some time to come—looks very 20th century, not necessarily in terms of offensive ground operations, but in terms of all the other things, including boots on the ground, that we require of our armed forces?”
Mr Quin, acknowledging the long running saga and ever changing landscape around SJMB’s disposal, said the Ministry of Defence’s rational; “Is to concentrate all phase one non-infantry training together at Pirbright, to provide a bespoke training environment embracing digitalisation and numbers trained could be flexed.”
The Minister continued saying; “I will continue to engage with my Honourable Friend on what he's impressed on me is an important issue for his constituents.”
More information
