A new investigation into the capability, capacity and value for money of QinetiQ bases in the United Kingdom has brought a call for an assurance over jobs at Aberporth.

An initial investigation into Test and Evaluation facilities came down on the side of the Aberporth air range having strategic control of ranges in the long term and safeguarding jobs.

The development caused concern in Scotland over the future of jobs at Balivanich on the Isle of Benbecula and prompted the intervention of Jim Murphy the Secretary of State for Scotland.

Bob Ainsworth the Secretary of State for Defence subsequently announced that QinetiQ and the MoD had agreed to undertake a new joint investigation and workers at the various bases were informed.

Fearing that the new probe could affect the 130 or so workers at the Aberporth base Councillor Eurfyl Evans, the county council’s cabinet member with the portfolio for Economic Development has made strong representations to Bob Ainsworth, Carwyn Jones the Secretary of State for Wales and local MP Mark Williams.

Cllr. Evans said: “The whole issue is being re-assessed because of pressure from Scotland but we are hopeful that Aberporth retains its role in strategic control.

“The WAG has invested significantly to make Aberporth a viable proposition as the centre for defence strategy in the United Kingdom.

“We don’t want to lose the momentum and I have called on Carwyn Jones and others to push the case for Ceredigion and secure jobs for the long term,” he said.