Here's a report from earlier in the year when BAE moved their Birtley plant up to an industrial estate in Washington. I think this came from the local paper The Sunderland Echo. It is unsurprising that the politically unsophisticated Echo made nothing but positive noises about this and the idea that arms manufacture might not be a good idea never entered the equation.
There wasn't a single letter printed voicing any kind of objection to the presence of one of the world's leading death-dealers in the town.
What is just as saddening is the comments of Council Leader Paul Watson. Paul Watson used to be a socialist as far as I remember. The last time I saw him was on a rather militant anti-bnp rally in Sunderland in the early 90s when a national bnp mobilisation was physically chased out of the town. Like others in the Labour Party it appears he has gone over to the side of big business too. Maybe I'm being harsh. After all, a handful of jobs might well be more important than the lives of people involved in the conflict in Afghanistan.
"A new multimillion-pound munitions plant on Wearside will help secure jobs on the home front while boosting the fight against the Taliban, say defence bosses.
BAE Systems this week started work on its £33million factory in Washington, which will provide state-of-the-art ammunition to troops in Afghanistan.
In two years, the company will close its Birtley plant and transfer 214 staff to a purpose-built facility at the site of the former Dunlop factory.
Featuring a modern forge and incorporating robotic machining cells and environment-friendly paint and treatment capabilities, the Wearside plant will carry out machining and treatments of large-calibre tank, mortar and artillery ammunition.
Charlie Blakemore, managing director for BAE Systems' munitions business, said the company had undergone a remarkable turnaround since 2002, when the Birtley plant was losing money and facing closure.
The Ministry of Defence has agreed a 15-year deal with the firm to provide long-term investment in its three main facilities in the UK.
Mr Blakemore said: "The Munitions Acquisition Supply Solution (MASS) allows us to take a long-term strategic view. BAE Systems is investing more than £120million over the next five years to accelerate transformation of our munitions sites into modern, safer, highly automated, energy-efficient and flexible facilities.
"It's a good deal for the taxpayer, good for jobs and, most of all, it's good for the men and women fighting to protect their country."
General Gary Coward, the Army's equipment chief, said that troops in Afghanistan needed high-quality ammunition to protect themselves and the civilian population as well as fight the Taliban.
"Even greater quantities are required to train our troops prior to deployment," he said.
"This nature of warfare has changed little in recent years, but the means of production and contracting has moved on considerably.
"Innovative solutions are required to provide an agile, value-for-money supply solution, both now and for the future, and the MASS contract is a prime example, guaranteeing high quality and timely delivery."
The company was granted planning permission for its development earlier this year and has worked closely with Sunderland City Council's business and investment team on its 280,000 sq ft facility and its 25 year lease.
Coun Paul Watson, leader of the council, said: "We worked closely with the company when it became known that they were interested in working here and we will continue to work closely with BAE in the future."
Campaign Against the Arms Trade
why didnt u write a letter then?
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