By Steve Bargeton, political editor

IF THE Defence Aviation Repair Agency (DARA) plant at Almondbank, near Perth, is privatised, it will not be sold on to a third party without the approval of UK ministers, The Courier can exclusively reveal.

A decision is expected shortly on the future of the plant and its highly skilled 350-strong workforce, drawn from Perth, Fife, Dundee, Kinross and Stirling.

Last week the Scottish Government threw its weight behind union plans to keep DARA in the public sector.

There are fears that if DARA, which maintains, repairs and overhauls aircraft, including helicopters, for the MoD, is sold to Canadian firm Vector Aerospace it could be asset-stripped and sold on to other private firms with massive job losses.

But in a Commons debate tonight, Armed Forces minister Bob Ainsworth will tell MPs no decision on the future of the plant has been taken. He will also give a commitment that if the Government do sell DARA, Vector “cannot sell or transfer the business to a third-party without MoD’s prior approval.”

Mr Ainsworth is expected to say the government’s two priorities are to defence and to the workforce at Almondbank.

“First and foremost we are going to do this in the best interest for defence, and men and women that are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan,” he will say. “Secondly we are doing this to maintain the skill base and the workforce at Almondbank and Fleetlands.

“To ensure operational capability is retained within the UK and in accordance with our Defence Industrial Strategy, Vector Aerospace has undertaken to retain the rotary wing element businesses in the UK.

“To provide further certainty to the workforce, we have secured equally binding assurances for Vector Aerospace to remain at the current locations as long as it is economically viable to do so.

“MoD has also secured a commitment that Vector Aerospace cannot sell or transfer the business to a third party without the MoD’s prior approval.

“If the sale proceeds, we expect Vector Aerospace not only to maintain current capability but to innovate and improve the current service that DARA provides.”

Although a decision is imminent, Mr Ainsworth will tell MPs that no decision has yet been taken.

“No final decision has yet been made to sell these businesses,” he will say.

“In reaching a decision, our twin objectives will be to ensure the best and most cost-effective support possible for our armed forces, and the best long-term prospects for the excellent and loyal DARA workforce.

“I expect to be able to make an announcement shortly to put an end to uncertainty for DARA employees,” he will declare.