RNAD, Milford (Hansard, 29 January 1992)

§ Mr. Michael
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many jobs were lost to the local area as a result of the closure of the Royal Navy armaments depot, Milford.

§ Mr. David Hunt
The Ministry of Defence announced in March 1988 that the Royal Navy armaments depot at Milford Haven would be gradually run down and close by March 1991. At the time of the announcement 175 people were employed at the base. Of these, 79 transferred to RNAD, Trecwn; 11 to other Government Departments; 12 were lost through natural wastage and 73 were made redundant.

§ Mr. Michael
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the financial contribution made by the Royal Navy armaments depot, Milford to the local economy, directly and indirectly(a) when operating at its height and (b) in the year prior to closure, expressed in 1992 prices.
581W

§ Mr. David Hunt
I am not aware of any official assessment of the financial contribution made by the RNAD, Milford to the local economy.

§ Mr. Michael
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he took to launch an initiative to provide new jobs in the local economy to counteract the effect on jobs, the local economy and the local community arising from the closure of the Royal Navy armaments depot, Milford.

§ Mr. David Hunt
Following the announcement in 1988 that RNAD, Milford Haven would close in 1991, my predecessor met a delegation, led by my hon. Friend the Member for Pembroke (Mr. Bennett). Subsequently the Milford Haven business initiative was established under the auspices of the Welsh Development Agency. Under the initiative and assocaited programmes a total of £2.5 million actual and approved expenditure has been spent in the town to date by the WDA on improvements.
Since the depot closed on 31 March 1991, the MOD has sold the site for a variety of industrial and housing purposes, including a £35 million jetty to handle super-tankers for Gulf Oil.
There is also a wide range of measures available through my Department and the other agencies, including the West Wales training and enterprise council which became operational on 27 March last year, to assist those made redundant to secure alternative employment and to stimulate job creation.