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Modernising Logistics Provision

We must always balance public investment against all the other issues involved. We must take risk into account as we test the market, and make a judgment about it. We must also ask questions about the identity and commitment of potential purchasers, and determine whether they can guarantee future support. If they cannot make that guarantee, they can go no further with the purchase. I should add that BAE Systems also has an interest in this matter, as it is the design authority. I suppose that one should never say never, but I see no possibility that the work will move away from St. Athan. With the right ingredients, and if the right company purchases it, the facility could have a greater ability to provide support for wide-bodied, fixed-wing aircraft. Clearly, what is being lost in terms of fast jet support is very painful, and that loss is happening over a relatively short period, but we are trying to put in place the potential for future growth. We will do everything that we can to that end, as we do not want to lose the key workers in that area. Finally, I remind the hon. Member for Carmarthen, East and Dinefwr (Adam Price) that the VC10 is used extensively in support of NATO forces in Iraq. I do not think that his party supports what we are doing in that particular area.