HC Deb 12 January 1993 vol 216 cc752-3
4. Mr. Llwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what cutbacks in defence procurement are envisaged in Wales due to the policies inherent in "Options for Change".

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The effect on Wales of any reductions in defence procurement will depend on individual companies' success in winning business and on their commercial decisions about the size and location of their manufacturing facilities.

Mr. Llwyd

Does the Minister agree that the west of Wales has suffered very badly recently, with the imminent closure of RAF Brawdy and Trecwn and today's news that 300 jobs will go at Pendine? Will he assure us that the Ministry will work closely with the Welsh Office to secure some new job opportunities for this highly skilled work force, who are literally without hope?

Mr. Hamilton

We are already working closely with the Welsh office on Trecwn and Brawdy in west Wales. We keep in touch about the other ramifications of the proposals, but we are not directly responsible for defence manufacturers in Wales. We very much regret the adjustments that were made to the work force which led to the recent job losses.

Mr. John Marshall

What would have happened to defence procurement in Wales and elsewhere if my right hon. Friend had listened to the advice of members of the Labour and Liberal parties?

Mr. Hamilton

Exactly. It is always amazing to see the resolutions that are passed at the conferences of the Opposition parties to cut defence expenditure radically, yet during defence questions Opposition Members constantly jump up and down saying that job losses are regrettable and that we should do all that we can to stimulate orders for defence equipment. As my hon. Friend said, the two do not tie together. The effect of a Labour Government, or indeed a Labour-Liberal Government, would be devastating on defence jobs across the country.

Mr. Alan W. Williams

In the past few days it has become clear that the Pendine proof and experimental establishment in my constituency is under severe threat of closure under the defence review, with the loss of 300 jobs. The base has several unique facilities. It has an excellent cost-efficiency record with the lowest cost per employee of any land unit and it is the only base that makes a profit. Will the Minister assure me that decisions about the future of these establishments will be based on fair cost comparisons? What has he to say to the 300 people in Pendine who are worried about their jobs?

Mr. Hamilton

Whenever a decision is taken to close a defence establishment, every consideration is taken into account, including the implications for local employment. The fact remains that we are dealing with a receding and reducing defence budget and must find savings where we can.