MP's fears over county military base

Hundreds of jobs could be in jeopardy at a Telford military depot if the Government presses ahead with an anticipated sell-off of the defence supply industry, a Shropshire MP says.

Mark Pritchard, secretary of the Conservative Parliamentary Defence Committee, today claimed jobs at the Defence Storage and Distribution Agency's giant Donnington base would be among those threatened by privatisation.

He also warned that breaking up the agency could threaten the supply of equipment to frontline troops in war zones such as Iraq and Afghanistan.

Mr Pritchard spoke out ahead of next week's Budget when he said it was possible an announcement could be made about plans for the future of the DSDA.

He said Chancellor Alistair Darling had announced a review of the British military's defence supply chain in the Pre-Budget Report last October and a decision was believed to have already been taken by ministers.

The review is part of a wide ranging, Treasury-driven "operational efficiency programme".

Mr Pritchard said: "Hundreds of defence jobs could be lost and the frontline delivery of defence equipment compromised if Treasury ministers decide to push ahead with plans to break up the Defence Storage and Distribution Agency, which has a major a base in Donnington."

Mr Pritchard said he has now written to Defence Secretary John Hutton calling for the DSDA to remain within the public sector.

The Public and Commercial Services Union, which represents many of the defence staff affected, has also expressed its concerns.