HC Deb 28 November 1995 vol 267 cc1048-9
13. Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to receive bids for the contractorisation of services at RAF Valley. [823]

Mr. Soames

The closing date—[Interruption.] Competing for quality has never been so popular. The closing date for submission of bids is 3 January 1996.

Mr. Jones

Will the Minister confirm that there are four companies actively involved in preparing bids for the contractorisation of services for RAF Valley? Will he also confirm that the Department has made it clear to those companies that they have a duty to maximise job opportunities for local people and to set up training schemes funded by the Welsh Office?

Mr. Soames

The hon. Gentleman has been in touch with me on a number of occasions about the matter. As he knows, several companies are interested in undertaking this very important work. We are pleased with the way in which it is moving ahead. I give him my assurance that as many local people as possible will be employed on the contract when it is let. As for training, I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will welcome the decision of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales to make available £75,000 to North West Wales training and enterprise council as its contribution to that training programme.

Mr. Wilkinson

As the Hawk tactical weapons unit at RAF Valley has a war role, will my hon. Friend ensure that at least some of the contractor personnel are members of the sponsored reserve who are required to accept military discipline, so that they can fulfil duties in emergency or war?

Mr. Soames

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for making that important point. It will certainly be important that a number of those contractor staff are members of the sponsored reserve. My hon. Friend will be pleased to know that the Reserve Forces Bill will, I hope, receive its Second Reading today in the other place.