Linda Gilroy today met with Armed Forces Minister Bob Ainsworth to discuss the future of Devonport Dockyard.

Mr Ainsworth was visiting the dockyard as part of the Naval Base Review. Earlier this year the Government announced that Devonport would remain open - but indicated there might be job losses.

Today he wouldn't be drawn on specifics, although speaking to the Evening Herald he confirmed "Plymouth is an important part of the Royal Navy going forward and it will remain so". Mr Ainsworth also indicated that the Government was considering moving 1 Assault Group Royal Marines from their current base in Poole to a new location within the dockyard.

The visit included a tour of the yard's refit facilities and meetings with other key players, including Naval Base Commander Commodore Simon Lister and DML Chief Executive Dennis Gilbert. 

Linda Gilroy was keen to impress on the Minister the importance of surface-ship work in keeping the yard's key nuclear skills alive.

She said "Winning surface ship work is key to the Devonport's future. The Minister has gone away today having seen the facilities and expertise we have to offer first hand".

She added "He now knows how the dockyard works - and that's an important step toward securing a good future for Devonport"

4 October 2007