Walsall Territorial Army Base to close

On Thursday 4 July 2013, Valerie Vaz Member of Parliament for Walsall South wrote to the Secretary of State for Defence regarding the planned closure of Gordon House where the Territorial Army is based in Walsall.

In her letter Valerie Vaz MP wrote:

I am writing to express my concerns about the proposed plans for the Territorial Army (TA) to vacate the centre at Gordon House, Sutton Road, Walsall.

This TA centre is the base of Troop of 225 Field Squadron, The Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers.

I would be grateful for further information on how the Government came to this decision and the implications for the Reservists currently serving in Walsall.

Valerie said: I await hearing from the Secretary of State with his response. The manner this was announced to the House was not transparent. Both the Speaker and the Opposition had no prior knowledge of this announcement as is the custom and practice. This meant that it was difficult to ask the Secretary of State the implications for the base and people affected by the closures.