MPs are fighting to save hundreds of jobs in Shropshire which could be threatened by a Government defence review.
The Government is considering major changes to MoD Donnington, near Telford, which MPs and union leaders say could cause unemployment and damage the local economy.
Former Defence Secretary Liam Fox had agreed to meet local representatives, shortly before he was forced to resign over his links with friend Adam Werrity.
MPs are now seeking a meeting with new Defence Secretary Philip Hammond instead.
The base currently houses the MoD’s Defence Support Group, which repairs and refurbishes vehicles such as Warrior tanks and personnel carriers.
But the Government has announced plans to sell the group.
Trade union Unite hopes to keep the jobs in the public sector – or, failing that, to ensure that a new private sector owner of the group retains jobs at MoD Donnington.
One possibility is that BAE Systems could buy the group, which it is thought would mean the jobs remain in the West Midlands.
The base also provides storage and logistics services for the MoD. But there are proposals to move much of this work to Bicester, Oxfordshire.
Concerns were raised in the Commons by Black Country MP Ian Austin (Lab Dudley North). He said: “Men and women in the West Midlands have always made a huge contribution to the armed forces, not least at MoD Donnington, which provides a first-class logistics service, ensuring that forces get the right kit in the right place at the right time.”
He asked ministers to “use those resources to ensure that the logistics commodity services site at Donnington is retained as the main logistics site for the MOD, safeguarding the 2,000 jobs that depend on it”.
Mr Austin told the Birmingham Post: “Liam Fox had agreed to meet representatives of the workforce and local politicians to discuss our concerns.
“I am now writing to Mr Hammond asking him to take up the invitation. It’s important we make it clear that Donnington provides an excellent service to the MoD and that these jobs are vital to the West Midlands.”
Stefan Blasczyk, regional officer of Unite, said: “The first objective is to try to keep those jobs at Donnington and in the public sector.
“We will be pushing Ministers to make sure jobs are saved. If the Defence Support Group is to go to the private sector then we will work with the winning bidder to make sure they retain as many jobs as possible.”
Councillors, MPs and union chiefs have formed the Telford and Wrekin MoD Donnington Workers Support Group to fight to retain jobs.
A spokesman for the MOD said: “A number of options are being looked at for MOD Donnington but no decisions have been taken.”
