Oral Answers to Questions

Lord Bellingham Excerpts

Wednesday 6th January 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Question 3—I call Sir Henry Bellingham.

[Sir Henry Bellingham (North West Norfolk) (Con)]

3. What plans he has to meet Ministers of the Scottish Government to discuss defence installations in Scotland.

[The Minister for Defence Procurement (Mr Philip Dunne)]

May I start by adding to your comment in introducing question 3, Mr Speaker? I congratulate my hon. Friend on the recognition he received last week for some 30 years’ service to this House and the people of Norfolk. It is a great pleasure that he received that recognition.

In response to his question, the Ministry of Defence engages with the Scottish Government about defence establishments and other defence matters at many levels, both official and ministerial. The Under-Secretary of State for Scotland and I met the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities on 17 November to discuss the strategic defence and security review. The Defence Minister responsible for reserves has met the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary twice previously, and the Defence Secretary has agreed to meet the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary soon.

[Sir Henry Bellingham]

I thank the Minister for his generosity. Given that the decision on Faslane will sustain the largest employment site in Scotland for decades to come, is it not clear that Scotland is the biggest beneficiary of the recent SDSR? Surely that makes the stance on Trident of both the Leader of the Opposition and the SNP even more perverse and damaging.