ANGER AT DECISION DELAY OVER DENISON BARRACKS

12.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 22nd Jun 2004

Local MP David Rendel is furious to have been told today that the decision over the future of Denison Barracks has been postponed for a full year.

The admission came from the Defence Minister after questioning from David Rendel MP.

Back in July 2003, the Minister told Mr Rendel that the Department's study of the future of the Defence Geographic and Imagery Intelligence Agency's estate was expected "by the end of February 2004".

In March this year, in response to a further question in the House of Commons, the Minister said that "this study remains ongoing".

Today, in a Parliamentary answer, the Minister says: "No announcement is likely before early 2005".

Commenting, Mr Rendel said:

"First Ministers gave assurances that local people would have answers by February this year. Then they said that the matter was under review but failed to keep us informed about progress. Now they say the decision will be a full year late.

"Meanwhile, the servicemen and women at Denison still do not know what is going to happen to them and local people are left with their concerns about what will happen to their area."

ENDS

Note to editors: The full text of the Parliamentary Questions referred to above is available on request.