James Cunningham

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MP JIM CUNNINGHAM TO MEET DEFENCE SECRETARY ON RAF COSFORD

Jim Cunningham is leading West Midlands moves to secure future defence developments at RAF Cosford.
Defence Secretary Des Browne agreed to meet the Coventry South MP and a group of other Midlands-based MPs to discuss long-term proposals for the site.
Mr Cunningham, chairman of the West Midlands Parliamentary Labour Party group, raised the issue in the House of Commons on Thursday January 18.
This came after the Government confirmed a new defence training academy would be based at St Athan in Wales rather than at RAF Cosford, between Telford and Wolverhampton.
During a debate on the Defence Training Review, Mr Cunningham said many people in the Midlands were ‘disappointed’ at the Government’s decision not to site the new academy at Cosford.
He asked Mr Browne to meet with a delegation of Midlands MPs to discuss future plans for RAF Cosford.
In reply Mr Browne said, RAF Cosford is ‘well placed for future opportunities’ and he agreed to meet Mr Cunningham at a later date on the matter.
Following the debate, Mr Cunningham said: “As chairman of the West Midlands Parliamentary Labour Party group, it is my job to stand up for the West Midlands. The news from the Defence Training Review is disappointing but I was pleased to hear the Defence Secretary’s comments about future opportunities for the site.
“I’m pleased he has agreed to meet a delegation of Midlands MPs and I look forward to having the opportunity to again stress to the Secretary of State the importance of RAF Cosford.”