Our ref: BC/lr
Rt Hon Michael Fallon MP Secretary of State for Defence Ministry of Defence Whitehall London SW1A 2HB 21 September 2017
Dear Secretary of State,
Consultation to close Babcock DSG operation in Forthside, Stirling
I am writing to you with respect to the above. You will be aware that Babcock have begun the process of consulting on the early closure of its DSG operation in my constituency.
The closure of this operation was originally marked for 2022 under the UK Government’s 2015 SDSR, however this consultation would seek to bring that closure forward to next year.
As this is the last operation of its kind in Scotland, I am deeply concerned that this will put armed forces operations and personnel north of the border at a strategical disadvantage. Forthside in Stirling is an ideal location in order to carry out this service on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.
I am aware that almost all of the highly skilled Babcock employees employed at the Forthside site live in the Stirling area. Moving significant parts of the service down to Yorkshire would mean the loss of many of these jobs.
I would welcome your comments on these specific aspects of the current proposal.
In addition, I would be grateful if you could advise me on the following:
What specific elements of the Babcock operation in Stirling would no longer be deliverable as a result of the proposed move to Yorkshire?
Bruce Crawford (SNP) MSP for Stirling constituency Office 16, STEP, Stirling, FK7 7RP Telephone 01786 471899 Email: [email protected]
Stirling Constituency covers: Aberfoyle, Arnprior, Ardeonaig, Balfron, Balquhidder,Bannockburn, Blanefield, Brig O’Turk, Buchlyvie, Balmaha, Callander, Cambusbarron, Cowie, Crianlarich, Croftamie, Deanston, Doune, Drymen, Fallin, Fintry, Gargunnock, Gartmore, Inversnaid, Killearn, Killin, Kinlochard, Kippen, Lochearnhead, Milton of Buchanan, Plean, Port of Menteith, Rowardennan, Stirling, Strathblane, Strathyre, Stronachlachar, Thornhill, Throsk, Tyndrum.
Our ref: BC/lr
In terms of the current rent level of the Forthside site, how does this compare to other sites across the country that Babcock are being charged for by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation?
Unite the Union have described these proposals as a potential “logistics disaster.” In terms of turnaround time for repairs and maintenance to military equipment, how would this move impact on Babcock’s ability to fulfil its contractual obligations of service?
Many thanks for your assistance on this matter.
With best wishes.
Yours sincerely,
Bruce Crawford MSP
Bruce Crawford (SNP) MSP for Stirling constituency Office 16, STEP, Stirling, FK7 7RP Telephone 01786 471899 Email: [email protected]
Stirling Constituency covers: Aberfoyle, Arnprior, Ardeonaig, Balfron, Balquhidder,Bannockburn, Blanefield, Brig O’Turk, Buchlyvie, Balmaha, Callander, Cambusbarron, Cowie, Crianlarich, Croftamie, Deanston, Doune, Drymen, Fallin, Fintry, Gargunnock, Gartmore, Inversnaid, Killearn, Killin, Kinlochard, Kippen, Lochearnhead, Milton of Buchanan, Plean, Port of Menteith, Rowardennan, Stirling, Strathblane, Strathyre, Stronachlachar, Thornhill, Throsk, Tyndrum.