§ 3. Mr. Ben Chapman (Wirral, South)When he last had discussions with the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales on the aerospace industry in north Wales. [53146]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Don Touhig)My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I regularly meet the First Minister to discuss a wide range of issues, including the aerospace industry in Wales.
As I said in reply to a similar question from my hon. Friend on 10 April, I recognise that prospects for the aerospace industry in north Wales and my hon. Friend's constituency are underpinned by the continued success of Airbus at Broughton. I continue to believe that the good working relationship between the management and trade unions at Broughton are vital to the success of that project.
§ Mr. ChapmanMy hon. Friend will appreciate that Airbus at Broughton, where many of my constituents work, along with other parts of the aerospace industry, could have faced problematic times post—11 September. Can he assure me that he is doing all that he can to provide continuing long—term support to the site and to the industry, and that he will bring pressure to bear on the Ministry of Defence to advance the orders for the A340 air tanker to bring further work to the site?
§ Mr. TouhigI know well my hon. Friend's commitment to the success of Broughton, and I am sure that he will welcome the good news of orders for the A340 from South African Airways and from Virgin. I take note of his point about the Ministry of Defence and the A340 air tanker, and I shall bring that to the attention of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence.
§ Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire)Is the Minister aware of the creation on 26 March this year of Aerospace Wales, which represents the £2 billion a year turnover and 20,000 jobs that the aerospace industry in Wales provides? Would he be willing to meet a cross—party delegation of MPs, Assembly Members and interested parties to talk about developing a coherent strategy and creating a brand for Aerospace Wales, and to discuss a coherent strategy for airports in Wales, which are badly in need of development?
§ Mr. TouhigAs a Welsh Member of Parliament, I am conscious of the important impact of the aerospace industry throughout Wales. Indeed, it is a very big employer in my constituency and in adjoining constituencies. I would be happy to meet him and the group that he mentions, because it is important that we are all seen to be pulling together to ensure, after 11 September, that the aerospace industry is a success 141 story. We have a great story to tell in Wales and a good work force. Investment is going in, and let us all pull together to make sure that the industry succeeds.
§ Mr. John Smith (Vale of Glamorgan)I, too, welcome the recent launch of Aerospace Wales in my constituency, which combines the manufacturing base in the north with the repair and servicing cluster of industries in the south. Does my hon. Friend agree that this is the time to invest in aerospace training skills in colleges such as Barry college in my constituency, not to cut back on capacity?
§ Mr. TouhigI know of my hon. Friend's support for the aerospace industry, and I agree with the point that he makes. I recently met in London a deputation of trade unionists from my area. They are passionately in favour of their company investing in reskilling and upskilling the work force so that it can meet the growing technological demands that the industry will face. I shall certainly do all that I can, working with colleagues in the Assembly and with Ministers to ensure that that is a success, and I am sure that my hon. Friend's college in Barry will make a contribution to that.
§ Mr. Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield)Does the Minister accept that the aerospace industry is not only United Kingdom—wide, but an international business? BAE Systems, the main player in the aerospace industry in the UK, is internationally based.
Although I agree with the hon. Member for Wirral, South (Mr. Chapman) that in the present difficult climate the Ministry of Defence should, where possible, develop projects to guarantee a skilled work force, does the Minister accept that there is a duty and responsibility on Government to minimise additional business costs?
§ Mr. TouhigOn the hon. Gentleman's last point, the Government stand on their record, which is unparalleled.
I agree that it is important for all arms of Government, especially the Ministry of Defence, to play a part. I have no doubt that it will do so. Certainly, in Wales the MOD has played an important role in the development of the aerospace industry, especially as regards recent announcements about RAF St. Athan. This is an issue that can unite all hon. Members, and we are all working together to the same end.