§ Mr. George OsborneTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions the Government have had with BAE Systems about job losses at their Woodford site; and if she will make a statement. [21770]
§ Mr. WilsonMy officials are already in close touch with BAE Systems. The North West Regional Development Agency and the local Employment Service are also working closely with the company but I am looking carefully at arrangements to ensure that Government are deploying their resources as effectively as possible to mitigate the effect of the Regional Jet programme closure.
The prospects for the aerospace sector in the medium to long term remain robust.