Royal Navy: Aircraft Carriers
Debate between Lord Stoneham of Droxford and Earl of Minto(10 months, 1 week ago)
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The Earl of Minto (Con)
My understanding is that there are aircraft on board the carrier now.
Lord Stoneham of Droxford (LD)
Could the Minister tell us how many other UK vessels are available to accompany and defend our aircraft carrier going to the Red Sea?
The Earl of Minto (Con)
My Lords, the answer to that question is that there is planned maintenance and a certain amount of ships are out of service at any one time. However, force protection is considered paramount at all times, and there is sufficient cover to ensure that is the case.
Car Industry
Debate between Lord Stoneham of Droxford and Earl of Minto(1 year, 7 months ago)
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The Earl of Minto (Con)
Not just the Government but the manufacturing companies take this very seriously. Everybody appreciates that these rare materials are finite; it is right at the front of our thinking.
Lord Stoneham of Droxford (LD)
My Lords, the news from Vauxhall should not have surprised anybody. These Benches have been warning about these problems for the last five years, ever since we launched this Brexit shambles. How can we have any confidence that the Government are now addressing this issue when they have ignored it for the last five years? Why would anybody in the international motor industry invest in this country while there is complete uncertainty over what the Government will do?
The Earl of Minto (Con)
A number of automotive businesses are investing in this country and will continue to do so. They realise the opportunity: we have a very good workforce and we are extremely good at R&D. I can see no reason why we should not continue to play an important role.