Local MP Caroline Dinenage today welcomed Defence Minister, Philip Dunne MP, to Gosport and took the opportunity to discuss some of the issues facing Gosport's defence industry.
Having taken part in a tour of Portsmouth Naval base and met with representatives from BAE, Caroline and the Minister visited Gosport's Oil Fuel Depot and Vector Aerospace.
Speaking after the visit, Caroline said:
"The past couple of months have been a tumultuous time for the defence community in Gosport what with the announcements of closures at BAE and restructuring at Vector. I am pleased that the Minister has shown the Government's support for our area by meeting with representatives from the Oil Fuel Depot and Vector Aerospace today.
If we are to successfully mitigate against the closures at Portsmouth shipyard, we must ensure that associated industries are well prepared for their future roles. What's happened in Portsmouth emphasises the importance of protecting companies such as Vector which employ a large number of highly skilled local people.
I hope the Minister will recognise this and do all he can to secure even more support for the Gosport area."
Mr Dunne said:
"I was pleased to have the opportunity to see for myself the important role Gosport plays in supporting defence. The Oil Fuel Depot plays a vital part in supplying vessels at HMNB Portsmouth and should do so for years to come as facilities are made ready to receive the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers.
I was impressed by the range of support capabilities provided to military and civil helicopters and aircraft at Vector Aerospace. The company and its workforce have played a critical role in maintaining availability of helicopters in use in Afghanistan in recent years."
Caroline is committed to protecting Gosport's defence industry and frequently raises the issue during meetings with her Ministerial colleagues in the Ministry of Defence. In November last year, Caroline welcomed Defence Minister, Anna Soubry MP, to Gosport and introduced her to key stakeholders at Gosport Borough Council.