Pendle MP, Gordon Prentice, today expressed dismay that Rolls-Royce is to manufacture wide chord fan blades in Singapore. The MP claims fan blades are core technology whose manufacture should remain in the UK.

The MP said: "The new investment in the UK announced yesterday by Rolls-Royce is very welcome. But I am very disappointed the company is, in effect, exporting its core technology and know-how to Singapore, no doubt attracted by all sorts of grants and incentives provided or underwritten by the Singapore Government."

“The company say that putting critical component manufacturing facilities in two locations gives ‘business continuity benefits’, but in that case I feel the second location should also have been in the UK.”

The MP has pressed the case for retaining core technology in the UK, taking the issue directly to Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson.

The MP added: “Despite this disappointment we must acknowledge the huge financial support the government has given to Rolls-Royce. Following the announcement, I spoke to Richard Harcourt, Rolls Royce Executive Vice-President, about the plans for the Barlick site.”

“He told me that the only one of the four developments that was location-specific was the investment for military wide chord fan blades in Barnoldswick.”

“He confirmed that jobs would be safeguarded there and held out the prospect of new jobs if the Joint Strike Fighter F136 goes ahead as planned. The project is currently being examined by the US Senate.”