THE plight of staff from Upton-based Microtherm Insulation - facing closure with the loss of 96 jobs - has been heard in the House of Commons.

Wirral West MP Stephen Hesford has held urgent talks with Gil Thomas, Microtherm Insulation's site operations director, to discuss what Mr Hesford called the company's 'shocking' decision to shut the plant and transfer production to Belgium.

Not satisfied with the lack of answers coming from management, Mr Hesford gained special permission from the Speaker in the House of Commons to raise the Microtherm issue.

MPs heard that despite the plant's profitable record and the skill and loyalty of its workforce, Belgian investment bankers, who own the company, were still planning to end 30 years of business in Upton.

Mr Hesford and Transport & General Workers' Union regional official Mick Cashman met with the workforce to hear their concerns and formulate plans to keep the factory open.

The Upton company supplies a range of thermal insulation items for use by military and associated users.

A final announcement is to be made next Friday, November 5, when unions and management meet again to discuss how to take the matter further.

Following his meeting with union members, Mr Hesford told the Globe: "It's clear to me that, unfortunately, the management appear to want confron-tation. I have sought information in order to understand what the circumstances are behind the proposed closure. To date, I have been told nothing.

"I am doing to my level best to support the workforce. I am grateful to Mr Speaker for allowing me to address the House of Commons on this issue and to have ministers present to hear about the case.

"It is a tragedy that such a skilled and loyal workforce are being treated so abysmally.

"If I have to, I'll go to Belgium in order to get some answers."

q Our picture shows Stephen Hesford outside the Microtherm Insulation plant, prior to his meetings with staff