Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they had with Bombardier about its decision to sell its aerospace structures division, including its manufacturing facilities in Belfast.

My rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State has spoken to Alain Bellemare, the Bombardier President and CEO, and Michael Ryan, the Chief Operating Officer of Aerostructures and Engineering Services, about their plans to sell the Belfast Aerostructures and Engineering Services operations. This is a result of Bombardier’s decision to focus its aerospace division on business jets.

The Belfast plant, its expertise and its highly skilled and dedicated staff will be highly sought after. The Government will work with potential buyers to ensure this successful and ambitious business is positioned for future growth.