Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Baroness Elliott of Whitburn Bay and Guto Bebb
Monday 23rd April 2018

(6 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Baroness Elliott of Whitburn Bay Portrait Julie Elliott (Sunderland Central) (Lab)
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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?

Guto Bebb Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Guto Bebb)
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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.