PLANS to invite private companies to bid for the right to run the Ministry of Defence Guard Service at HM Naval Base Clyde have been criticised by a leading trade union and by the area's MP.

The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) trade union says it has “serious concerns regarding plans to privatise the Ministry of Defence Guard Service (MGS)”.

The union says the UK government is considering attracting bids from private security firms to run the service, which currently employs 2,100 civilian staff across the UK.

A PCS spokesperson said: “It’s an extremely dangerous path that the MoD are pursuing, risking the security at such important sites for negligible financial saving.

“We’re all aware of the appalling record of private security provision, including G4S’s inability to provide basic steward cover for the London Olympics in 2012, and their charging, along with Serco, for non-existent tagging of offenders.

“There are also licensing and security clearance issues that are unique to the MoD and which will complicate matters further.”

The case for going to the market and inviting bids is awaiting Cabinet Office approval and the expectation is that this will be granted.

The MoD has its own in-house bid team which will compete against the private firms seeking to run the service and which is backed by the MoD trade unions.

But the PCS spokesperson said the union remains sceptical at the resources that will be allocated to this team, and just how serious an effort the MoD will make to retain control of the service.

PCS further maintains that any dilution of the crucial service provide by MGS could cause future serious security lapses at sites where nuclear hardware and material are present. They argue the need to retain the existing Defence expertise within the MGS ranks:

The spokesperson added: “No one wants to see someone guarding Tesco on a Monday and nuclear subs on a Tuesday. These sites need a dedicated and professional guarding service and many of our MGS members have previous military experience and provide ‘Defence eyes’.

“The simple question is - why put the safety of these sites at risk for the peanuts savings on offer?”

The MGS was formed following the Deal Barracks bomb attack in 1989, after the subsequent report identified serious failures in the private security firm provision at the site and recommended an in-house MoD guarding set-up.

Argyll and Bute MP Brendan O'Hara said: “Coming only days after promises to plough further public money into the Trident renewal programme and the increase of personnel to be transferred to the Faslane base over the next few years, we cannot – must not – play fast and loose with security at the base.

“The local community and the staff at both Faslane and Coulport must have absolute confidence that the facilities are secured by the very best security services available.

“This must be matched by the investments that are being placed in the renewal of Trident.”

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence said: “The MoD is currently investigating the options for the future provision of unarmed guarding of its estate.

“The project will fully explore and develop options for maximising the existing MoD Guard Service (MGS) and examine whether value for money is being provided.

“This supports the MoD’s ongoing efforts to improve efficiency so that resources can be focused on military capability.

“While it is too early to determine whether a decision will be made to commercialise the service, or who might provide the service in the future, the quality of the MGS service will be taken into consideration along with value for money.

“MGS senior staff, trade unions and security representatives across MoD sites have been, and will continue to be, fully engaged in this process.

“Security remains a priority for the department and no decisions will be taken to compromise the security of our servicemen and women.”

West of Scotland Conservative MSP Maurice Corry, who is also Argyll and Bute Council's 'armed forces champion', said: "The Ministry of Defence take the security of defence sites extremely seriously.

“It would in itself be negligent not to make enquiries into alternative forms of security to ensure the best possible outcome is maintained at all times on military sites.

“By attracting bids from specialist private security firms it not only shows a market value against the cost of the Ministry of Defence Guard Service, but alternative ideas as to the safety and security structure."

Helensburgh and Lomond MSP Jackie Baillie has also lent her support to the campaign against privatisation.

She said: “The MOD Guard Service performs a vital role to protect civilians, service personnel and their families based at Faslane and Coulport. The 2,000 civil servants in the service are highly motivated and receive specialist in-house training at a level which does not compare to private security companies.

"I am working alongside local staff and their trade union representatives to defend their interests and I hope other MSPs will join me in calling for a debate in the Scottish Parliament.

“The security of nuclear sites across the UK is too important to be auctioned off to the lowest bidder and the Tory Government should drop the plans immediately.”