The future of the Whittington Barracks has been thrown into further
doubt following a Parliamentary Answer given by Army Minister, Ivor
Caplin, to Michael Fabricant. Michael asked the Minister "whether the
Army Training Regiment will remain based at the Whittington barracks
near Lichfield following his review of his Department’s property". In
his reply, just in, Ivor Caplin MP says: "The study into the future of
Army Training Regiment Lichfield and Whittington Barracks will not be
concluded until June 2005".

Michael says: "This is not very reassuring. Bad news is often delayed
until after the election just as the official announcement of the
closure of the Hammerwich Hospital was delayed to the very day after the
2001 general election. After the news of army cut-backs causing the
amalgamation of the Staffords with two other regiments, it would be
catastrophic if this were to be topped by the Whittington Barracks being
closed too or used for holding asylum seekers. I shall be seeking
further clarification".