Gordon Banks MP meets MOD Minister over proposed sale of DARA Almondbank

December 2007

Gordon Banks MP for Ochil and South Perthshire today met with Baroness Taylor Of Bolton, Minister of State in the Ministry of Defence to discuss the recently submitted Trade Union proposals for the future of the DARA facility at Almondbank.

At the meeting Gordon Banks pushed the Minister on issues relating to the workability of these new proposals and whether her department had been able to fully evaluate them.

Speaking after the meeting, Gordon Banks said,

“Baroness Taylor advised me that she had indeed evaluated the recently submitted Union proposals but that there were some significant difficulties with them as they required the MOD to change radically its method of working with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

The Minister also informed me that it was unlikely that a decision would be made this side of Christmas.”

Gordon Banks MP went on to say,

“I have visited Almondbank on a number of occasions, met with employees, union representatives, management and Ministers and my concerns all the way through this issue have been coming to a solution that gives DARA Almondbank, the best ability to retain its highly skilled workforce, supply a quality service to the MOD and play a significant role in the Perthshire, Scottish and UK economies. I was able to question and gain assurances from the Minister on concerns relating to the intentions of Vector Aerospace and how the bid process protects the rights of employees.

The employees at Almondbank have suffered uncertainty for an extensive period of time and it is unfortunate that it looks like this will stretch over Christmas, however it is important that the right decision is taken to provide the future for Almondbank and its workforce, that we all desire.