news story

7th December 2006

MP Tells Parliament About Airbus "Success Story"

(l-r) Iain Gray, Managing Director and General Manager of Airbus UK, Steve Webb MP, Jane Henderson, Chief Executive of the South West Regional Development Authority, Doug Naysmith MP, DTI Minister Margaret Hodge MP

Northavon MP Steve Webb has used a Westminster debate to tell MPs about the successes of local firm Airbus, and to press the Government to ensure that key parts of new generations of the aircraft are designed and built in the UK.

The MP, who visited the Filton plant on Monday (3rd December) along with DTI Minister Margaret Hodge MP and Bristol NW MP Doug Naysmith, said Airbus had had its best ever year, producing over 400 aircraft, and with order books full for the next four years. He highlighted the fact that not only does Airbus employ 13,000 people across the UK, mainly at Filton and in North Wales, but that over 100,000 other jobs depend directly or indirectly on the success of the company.

Steve Webb was concerned that the sale of the remaining British-owned shares in Airbus might mean that the wings for future models might not be designed and built in the UK but might instead be built in Spain. He pressed the Government to work hard in talks with Airbus to protect the British national interest. He also urged the government to support Airbus research and development to enable the company to continue to improve the environmental impact of its aircraft.

In reply, DTI Minister Margaret Hodge said agreed with Steve Webb that Airbus has been very successful, and that the aerospace industry is a vital part of the UK economy. She repeated the support offered to the Lib Dem MP by the Prime Minister in the House of Commons two weeks ago, that the Government would continue to work hard to maintain a strong Airbus presence in the UK.

Commenting after the debate, Steve Webb said:

"I was delighted to be able to raise this issue in Parliament with the Minister, and am pleased to receive her expression of support for Airbus. High quality manufacturing jobs are increasingly rare in the UK and it is vital that the Government does all that it can to support companies like Airbus on which so many local people depend".

 

  Click here to read the transcript of the debate