Defence
Debate between Douglas Ross and Carol Monaghan(6 years, 3 months ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Douglas Ross
I will come back to my hon. Friend in a minute.
I thought that we had got rid of that situation, but no. Just this week, we saw this in the media:
“An SNP MP is demanding reassurance from the UK Government that they will proceed with the… maritime patrol aircraft”.
Let me quote what the hon. Gentleman said in that article:
“I would like to hear them restate their commitment to purchasing all nine of the promised Poseidon P-8 aircraft.”
That was agreed when the contract was signed with the UK Government and the US Government to provide those nine Poseidon P-8 aircraft. Why did the hon. Gentleman feel that it was necessary to put out a press release to say that that might be in doubt, when all along the UK Government have had that contract signed with the US Government? We should be focusing on the benefit coming to Moray, rather than launching scare stories. I note that the hon. Gentleman has remained in his seat. He has not tried to intervene to say that I have said something wrong.
Douglas Ross
Well, if the hon. Lady needs to support the hon. Gentleman, I will quite happily give way.
Carol Monaghan
I thank the hon. Gentleman for allowing this intervention. I have no need to support my colleague, but I certainly want to take issue with one comment that he has just made, which was about the nine maritime patrol aircraft. I am sorry, but in Scotstoun and Govan in my constituency, and in the constituencies of some of my hon. Friends, we were promised 13 Type 26 frigates. Forgive us if we do not believe this Government’s promises.
Douglas Ross
What I will never forgive is an SNP politician who sits in this House and has the opportunity to question Ministers at any time, but who instead decides to put out a press release launching another scare story about the future of a Moray base. It is very clear: we are preparing for this record investment in Poseidon P-8 aircraft at Lossiemouth, and I am sorry that the hon. Member for West Dunbartonshire chose to do that.