19 Apr 2007 | Ref. 115/2007
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The Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP and BAE Systems apprentices and graduates
Glasgow, United Kingdom. - The Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP visited BAE Systems shipyard at Scotstoun on the Clyde today (Thursday) where he met with over 60 apprentices and graduates before taking a tour of the most advanced warship in the world to date, HMS Daring.
The Chancellor’s visit comes just weeks after BAE Systems released figures from the Fraser of Allander Institute that showed the Clyde yards are worth over £238million to the Scottish economy and support 57 jobs for every 100 people employed directly by the company.
The Chancellor was accompanied by first year mechanical engineering graduate, Laura Campbell, first year apprentice electrician Gavin Law and managing director of BAE Systems Surface Fleet Solutions, Vic Emery.
Commenting on his visit, The Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP said; “This is a yard moving forward with big new technology, big investment but most of all a workforce that is highly skilled, totally committed and hopeful and optimistic about the future. Everyone I have met here is smiling about the future because they know that they have done such a good job on the Type 45 that work continues for years ahead.”
Speaking after the visit, Laura Campbell said; “It is important that the person who is charged with running our economy and who is likely to soon become Prime Minister comes to see for himself exactly what the Clyde is made of. We have a strong ship building past, but I am pleased that the Chancellor recognises that we have an even stronger future as a result of hugely innovative programmes such as the Type 45 Destroyer.”
Gavin Law said; “I hope the Chancellor enjoyed his visit but I also hope he took away an impression of the Clyde that we make up a strong and vital part of the future of warship innovation, design and build not just in the UK but the rest of the world.”
Vic Emery said; “The Chancellor’s visit is a further boost to the Clyde yards’ economic profile and I am delighted that Gordon Brown has taken this opportunity to come and experience our excellent workmanship for himself.
“Our investment and innovation over the last few years has delivered huge benefits to the UK. For example, the second of the Type 45 Destroyer is being built for 1.2million man hours less than the first, ultimately delivering greater capability to the Royal Navy.
“I hope that the main thing that they took away from their visit is that Clyde warship building has a great future.”
About BAE Systems:
BAE Systems is a global defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With 88,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £13.7 billion pounds sterling (US25.4 billion dollars) in 2006.
For further information please contact:
Catherine Thurogood, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0) 141 957 4464 Mob: +44 (0) 7801 717860
catherine.thurogood@baesystems.com
Lisa Hillary-Tee, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384934 Mob: +44 (0)7801 718994
lisa.hillary-tee@baesystems.com
Issued by:
BAE Systems, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6YU, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384710 Fax: +44 (0) 1252 383947
www.baesystems.com
