By Alan Richardson and Paul Reoch

HUNDREDS OF Perth engineering workers remained firmly in the dark over their futures yesterday after Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram refused to rule out selling the Defence Aviation Repair Agency plant at Almondbank.

Despite assurances last week that the Ministry of Defence’s swingeing job cuts at other DARA centres, confirmed yesterday by Mr Ingram, would have no effect in Perthshire, it appears that the opposite could yet be true.

Mr Ingram said the performance of DARA Almondbank and its sister helicopter repair site at Fleetlands in Hampshire had been so good, further investigations into a private sale would be made.

But such a non-decision has left the complex’s 325 workers unimpressed, according to union representative, David Mee.

Speaking from London where, Mr Mee, branch president of Prospect at Almondbank, said, “Until we see the detail of the proposals, I can’t make any statement other than to say it has still left us in a little bit of a no-man’s land and there has not been a definitive statement.

“They say they will look at options for a privatisation, which means they still haven’t made up their minds—which, unfortunately, leaves the workforce in the position of not knowing what the future holds.

“That’s the same position they have been in for the last 18 months.”

Mr Mee will take part in further discussions today before consulting union colleagues to decide how to approach yesterday’s developments.

Although the immediate job losses will be elsewhere, there are obvious concerns about the effect of privatisation and the possibility of streamlining at Almondbank.

Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart expressed his concern at the possible threat to jobs at Almondbank, emphasising its vital link to the community.

He said, “This is a worrying statement from the MOD and we await a further reassurance from them.

“DARA is a very important employer in Perthshire and it’s vital that jobs are protected.

Mr Wishart said, “The workforce will be rightly concerned. This could have serious consequences and I will be seeking clarification from them that there are no job losses or erosion to the Almondbank site.”

While the uncertainty remains in Perthshire, Mr Ingram confirmed the long-held fears of DARA workers elsewhere in the country.

DARA’s fast jet work at St Athan, South Wales will close from April 2007 with up to 500 jobs shed, in addition to the 500 lost this time last year.

A further 225 jobs will go at Fleetlands when its engine repair work shuts down in April 2007.

Other job cuts were announced across Army Base Repair Organisation plants in England.

Mr Ingram said, “It is with great regret that I have had to announce job losses at DARA and ABRO. Employees at both organisations have provided the MoD with an excellent service over the years.

“We will help to find those involved alternative employment and we will make every effort to use natural turnover and voluntary redundancy.

“However, a significant number of compulsory redundancies can be expected.

“ABRO and DARA are not immune to the difficult changes we have had to make across defence so that we can make the best use of our resources to support an armed forces that is fit for the 21st century.”

Peter Allenson, Transport and General Workers’ Union national secretary for public services, said the decisions by the MoD were a “betrayal of skilled workers as the Government goes in a for a mad dash to the private sector.”