§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of(a) BAE Systems' decision to close the Regional Jet RJ and RJX programme; and (b) the impact the closure will have on (i) the future prospects and competency of the UK's civilian aerospace industry and (ii) the aerospace component supply industries. [20353]
§ Mr. WilsonThe Government regret the recent announcements of job losses within BAE Systems and the Department is maintaining a close dialogue with the company to evaluate the situation. Officials of the relevant Government Departments and local support agencies are 671W working with the company to mitigate the effect of the Regional Jet closure. I understand that Employment Services met the company on 5 December.
The Government deeply regret any job losses announced as a response to the downturn in aviation. BAE System's announcement is essentially a commercial decision and is partly in response to the downturn in aerospace sector exacerbated by the impact of events of 11 September.
The prospects for the aerospace sector in the medium to long term remain robust.