§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the job losses at RAF Shrewsbury in connection with work on the Wessex helicopter. [7136]
§ Dr. MoonieThe Wessex servicing work at RAF Shawbury, new Shrewsbury, is to come to an end due to the withdrawal of the Wessex helicopter from service.
The helicopter maintenance personnel that undertake this work are employed by FB Heliservices Limited.
FB Heliservices advise that as a result of the end of the Wessex element of the RAF Shawbury maintenance contact they are facing a redundancy situation for up to 39 employees. The company has advised us that it is actively pursuing alternative employment for the staff involved and is in consultation with both the recognised Trade Unions and individual employees. As part of its efforts to find alternative work, the company has made a proposal to place some other Ministry of Defence helicopter servicing work at RAF Shawbury. This proposal is being considered.