Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, has welcomed the news that the RAF Museum in Cosford has agreed to look into the accession of items from the Boulton Paul Collection and support the Boulton Paul Collection Association in accommodating the remaining items elsewhere.
The collection, which includes historic planes, photographs, artefacts and historic documents, was at risk of being scrapped after the museum felt it could no longer house the collection.
Gavin has previously campaigned for the preservation of the collection after he fought for General Electric to fund the transport of the collection to the RAF Museum, after it was forced to relocate from its original site in 2013. The RAF Museum was also planning to devote a new section to the West Midlands contribution to the aviation industry and the Royal Air Force when space became available.
When it became apparent that the collection was in danger, Gavin intervened in the matter and contacted the Chief Executive of the RAF museum to highlight his concern.
Gavin said: “I am delighted that the museum will look again at accommodating items from the Boulton Paul collection and will continue to support remaining items in other locations. This is a very positive move. These items are of incredible historical value. They very much support the story of the strong role of the RAF in the Second World War, which is of key part of the area’s contribution to aviation history.”