Written question asked by Lord Maples (Conservative) on Wednesday, 17 March 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 29 March 1999. It was answered by Lord Robertson of Port Ellen (Labour) on Monday, 29 March 1999 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what representations he has received from the Department for Trade and Industry regarding the closure of Royal Ordnance Bishopton; and if he will make a statement. - Includes figures. (Holding answer 22 March 1999).

Answer: Mr. Maples: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from the Department for Trade and Industry regarding the closure of Royal Ordnance Bishopton; and if he will make a statement. [78183] Mr. George Robertson: [holding answer 22 March 1999]: I consulted other Government Ministers, including my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, about the issues surrounding the recent decisions on the Multi Year Buy and Extended Range Ordnance/ Modular Charge System competitions, including the impact on Royal Ordnance Bishopton and other Royal Ordnance sites. In addition to work associated with the Modular Charge System, Royal Ordnance informed the Ministry of Defence that it would require further work to be directed to Bishopton, without competition, for the plant to remain open. Even then, the work force would have had to reduce by almost half to around 150 employees. We concluded that £20 million cost premium to keep a much reduced Bishopton open in the short term did not represent good value for the taxpayer.

Secondary information