Nigel Chamberlain, NATO Watch
“Based in Kentigern House, Glasgow, the UK National Codification Bureau (NCB) is the sole authority in the UK for all NATO Codification services and policy guidance. Integral to a successful defence supply chain, UK NCB documents technical data and allocates NATO Stock Numbers based on Fit, Form and Function of an item of supply”, Mr George Bond, Head of UK NATO Codification, informed the National Archive in April 2010. The same message is posted on the MoD website and is attributed to Kevan Harrigan, Officer-in-Charge United Kingdom National Codification Bureau.
There appears to be no information about codification on the NATO website.
In January this year, SNP defence spokesman Angus Robertson MP asked the Secretary of State for Defence about a proposal to move UKNCB from Glasgow to Bristol. Andrew Robathan replied that:
We are considering the future size, shape and location of the UK National Codification Bureau (UKNCB) and the Engineering and Through Life Support (ETLS) Team, which works alongside the UKNCB. This includes the possibility of locating the UKNCB and the ELTS Team to MOD Abbey Wood, Bristol alongside its parent organisation and main user of its services: Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S). However, no final decisions will be taken until the outcome of a value for money study is known and trade unions consultation has been completed. The study is expected to report in February 2012.
The Sunday Herald reported in early September that a senior Ministry of Defence (MoD) official has recommended moving UKNCB to Abbey Wood despite an internal report finding that staying in Glasgow was the cheapest option. This could result in the loss of 50 specialist defence posts in the city.
George Bond and Kevan Harringan say that:
The NATO Codification System (NCS) is the biggest, the best and most comprehensive codification and cataloguing system in the world. 63 countries are members of the NCS and the data contained in its 17 million NATO Stock Numbers.
The NCS provides a common ‘language of logistics’, supporting effectiveness in our armed forces, reducing costs and facilitating both national and coalition operations. Whether your role is Policy, Design, Acquisition, Manufacture or Supply the NCS has many benefits to offer. Our role is to bring those benefits to you.
The Sunday Herald reported that the UKNCB was transferred to Glasgow in the 1980s and codifies all component parts for items such as jet fighters, Challenger tanks and radars, and assists with export sales.
The report flagged up a potential "cumulative loss and dilution of skills and expertise", as well as a "loss of efficiency and effectiveness". It concluded: "A simple comparison between the levels of benefits (Medium) and risks (High) provides the conclusion that the arguments weigh clearly in favour of the UKNCB remaining in Glasgow."
An MoD spokesperson told The Sunday Herald that: "The MoD remains committed to bringing down the national deficit by reducing costs and driving efficiency wherever possible…and…The MoD is considering the future size and shape of the MoD's UKNCB but no final decisions have been taken."
Angus Robertson, Chairman of the Public and Commercial Services Union Gerry Burns and Prospect Union representative Alan Glover all criticised the proposal.