Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Baroness Elliott of Whitburn Bay and Guto Bebb

Monday 23rd April 2018 Commons Chamber

[Julie Elliott (Sunderland Central) (Lab)]

T6. Although ships are no longer built in the north-east, many companies in the engineering supply chain are based there. What steps will the Government take to ensure that work comes to the north-east in future defence contracts?

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Guto Bebb)]

I thank the hon. Lady for her question. One example we can offer is the current Boxer programme, which is at the assessment phase. Currently, we expect more than 60% of that to be onshore and going to the UK, but there are opportunities to increase that further. I have already had discussions with several companies based in the north-east on that very project.