Misleading DTR coverage

Last week the BBC published an article about the Defence Training Review (DTR). It was entitled '£12bn military academy 'on track'. The article was quite biased and lacking in research. Chris Ames sums it up very well here. Chris Ames (also runs the Iraq dossier website.)

Back to the article which doesn’t mention that the project is already delayed and over budget nor the fact that Qinetiq, the equal equity partner along with Sodexho, are themselves experiencing difficulties. See the following articles:
The Cost of Privatisation
Qinetiq Prepares to Tighten Finances

I won’t go into whether or not the 5000 jobs figure is accurate, but that number of ‘new’ jobs won’t be created at the base. The jobs are already held by Civil Servants around the country who will be expected to relocate to Wales or lose their jobs.

Many of the trainers will be unable to relocate to Wales and the loss of these skilled trainers will put Defence Training and front line troops at risk.

In addition to the above there is the question of putting the Defence of the United Kingdom in the hands of private companies that are ultimately out to make a profit for their shareholders. A further risk is that the companies involved may get taken over by a non-British organisation which could generate a conflict of interest between corporate aims and loyalties and national security.

You may also be interested in this article entitled ‘The Ministry and the Media'

Couldn't have done worse on ebay - John Pugh MP on Qinetiq

HOC Mon 3 Dec 4.30pm, Rm 15 The privatisation of Qinetiq

Bill Jeffrey CB, Permanent Under Secretary, Trevor Woolley, Finance Director, Ministry of Defence, Peter Schofield, Director, The Shareholder Executive and officials from Qinetiq.

Ian Davidson, Labour MP, said Carlyle “took advantage of these poor unfortunates who really should not have been let out alone”.

John Pugh, Liberal Democrat, said: “It’s difficult to think what you could have done worse apart from putting it on Ebay.”

mps berate team in Qinetiq deal
Financial Times - London,England,UK
By Alex Barker, Political Correspondent mps on Monday berated officials involved in the privatisation of Qinetiq, the defence research group, ...

what discussions has the chancellor had with MOD on QinetiQ???

Written answers

Thursday, 29 November 2007

What are written answers?

Treasury

QinetiQ

All Written Answers on 29 Nov 2007

Greg Mulholland (Leeds North West, Liberal Democrat) | Hansard source

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with Ministerial colleagues at the Ministry of Defence on the National Audit Office report on the privatisation of QinetiQ.

Andy Burnham (Chief Secretary, HM Treasury) | Hansard source

The Government accept the recommendations made in the NAO report, and welcomes the work undertaken to highlight lessons that can be applied in the future.