§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales when the Optec DD factory at Buckley will close and with how many redundancies; and if he will make a statement. [29435]
§ Mr. HainThe company have not yet announced the actual date when the factory will close. However, there will be 76 redundancies.
The Welsh Development Agency is working closely with Flintshire County Council and is exploring a number of options. We are content that everything possible is being done to help the company and its employees.
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§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what initiatives (i) he and (ii) the Welsh Development Agency will take to find a new tenant for the current Optec DD factory at Buckley, Flintshire; and if he will make a statement. [29434]
§ Mr. HainThe Welsh Development Agency, the TEC and Flintshire County Council are aware of the closure and have discussed the matter fully with the company. Following the discussions it has been agreed that the Council, through its Economic Development Department, will take the lead on giving advice to the company and its employees. The Welsh Development Agency is in regular contact with the local authority and is currently considering a number of options.
We are happy that everything possible is being done to help the company and its employees.