Peter Viggers, Member of Parliament for Gosport, has received a response to his Parliamentary Question “To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the Defence Aviation Repair Agency at Fleetlands, Gosport”.
The following response was received from The Rt Hon Bob Ainsworth MP (Holding reply Tuesday 11 December 2007):
“In my Written Ministerial Statement of 25 July 2007, (Official Report, column 74WS), I confirmed that work was continuing to progress the sale option for DARA’s Rotatry Wing and Components businesses. I also announced that Vector Aerospace was selected as the preferred bidder and that if sale did not show MOD best value for Defence then these business units would form part of a new defence support organisation being created by merging DARA’s remaining businesses with ABRO.
No decision has yet been take as to whether the sale offers and delivers the best overall value for defence and provides better long-term future for these businesses and their employees. We recognise the important role that all employees and Industry play in supporting the Armed Forces. Negotiations are continuing with Vector Aerospace and we will arrive at a final decision as soon as possible to remove the uncertainly for DARA’s Rotary and Components staff
Peter Viggers said today:
“I am, of course, aware of the profound concern by those working at Fleetlands about its future. I am due to visit Fleetlands again shortly to see the situation for myself.
“I have always maintained that the excellent facilities at Fleetlands and above all the very highly skilled and dedicated workforce, make the unit of exceptional quality and value. I believe this puts Fleetlands in a good position to compete for Ministry of Defence contracts and also contracts from around the world.”
19 December 07 |
