Oral Answers to Questions

John Slinger Excerpts

Wednesday 8th July 2026 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[John Slinger (Rugby) (Lab)]

1. What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the domestic supply chain for manufacturing in Northern Ireland.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Matthew Patrick)]

I take every opportunity to champion Northern Ireland’s brilliant manufacturing sector, and whether it is Denroy, Airbus or Thales, or even Harland & Wolff, which has just announced that it is bidding for a major UK-Dutch shipbuilding deal, there is a lot to champion.

[John Slinger]

Does the Minister agree that the defence growth deal is a chance for Northern Ireland businesses to access the wider UK defence supply chain? What efforts is he making to achieve that?

[Matthew Patrick]

I certainly agree with my hon. Friend; many opportunities are arising from the defence growth deal, on which I have worked closely. Many businesses, small and large, across Northern Ireland have dual-servicing capability and they have a real opportunity here. We are supporting them every step of the way.