§ Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on negotiations for the disposal and future use of RNAD Milford after 31 March 1991.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe Ministry of Defence expects shortly to receive the report of the consultancy study, commissioned in conjunction with the Welsh Development Agency, into potential future uses for the RN armament depot at Milford Haven. In consultation with the Welsh Development Agency and the local authorities, we shall be carefully considering the options identified in the report and will be consulting the trade unions before a final decision is made.
§ Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the closure of RNAD Milford including the early retirement of staff, the transfer of staff to other MOD establishments and the job resettlement programme.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe closure programme for the royal naval armament depot at Milford Haven is proceeding to schedule, with the progressive transfer of the remaining tasks to the MOD's depot at Trecwn. Milford Haven is scheduled to close on 31 March 1991.
The position of the 163 staff employed at the depot is as follows:
- (a) Thirty-three non-industrial and 42 industrial staff (total 75) are to transfer to the royal naval armament depot at Trecwn during the period leading up to March 1991.
- (b) Nine non-industrial and four industrial staff (total 13) are to transfer to other Government Departments during the period leading up to March 1991.
- (c) A total of 67 industrial staff are to be made redundant in two groups: 30 on 2 November 1990 and 37 in early March 1991. All staff being made redundant are being referred to the Manpower Services Commission jobcentre at Milford Haven under the job resettlement programme.
- (d) Seven industrial staff will be normally or medically retired before the closure date.
- (e) One non-industrial grade is currently seeking early retirement.