Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Oral Answers to Questions

Bill Esterson Excerpts
Monday 23rd October 2017

(7 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Harriett Baldwin Portrait Harriett Baldwin
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My right hon. Friend makes a very compelling case, as have many other colleagues from all parts of the House. I am sure he will welcome the fact that an offshore patrol vessel, HMS Tamar, is currently being built.

Bill Esterson Portrait Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab)
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T8. It must be in the national interest to retain domestic military aircraft manufacturing capability. If the Government do not bring forward a replacement for the Red Arrows, how will they guarantee that domestic capacity while military orders are secured for the long term at BAE, given the current shortage of orders?

Harriett Baldwin Portrait Harriett Baldwin
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The hon. Gentleman makes an important point, because we have such strong leadership in this area. What I would say is this: it is also important that we show cross-party support for the many export campaigns BAE Systems is involved in around the world. I urge him to do what he can with his leader and the Opposition Front-Bench team to do that.