§ Lord Mayhewasked Her Majesty's Government:
What will be the net saving from the closure of RAF Kemble; how many persons will be made redundant as a consequence; and what is the estimated cost in unemployment related payments, and loss to tax of those who have lost their jobs.
§ The Minister of State for Defence Procurement (Viscount Trenchard)No final decision has yet been taken on the future of RAF Kemble. Studies into the feasibility of re-deploying the work carried out there have been completed and consultations have taken place with the trade union side.
If Kemble were to close, however, we would expect to make savings to Defence Votes of the order of £2 million per annum at current prices. It is not possible to say at this stage how many people would be made redundant by Kemble's closure. This would depend on such matters as the number of employees who would leave through natural wastage or accepted voluntary premature retirement terms and the possibility of placing personnel in other Government employment.
It is also not possible to assess the estimated cost in unemployment related payments and loss to tax of those who might possibly lose their jobs if Kemble closed. Such calculations will depend on the numbers declared redundant, the availability of alternative civil 1054WA employment or the possibility, which is actively being explored, that Kemble may be taken over by a new employer.