Scottish Independence: Faslane Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Scottish Independence: Faslane

Lord Desai Excerpts
Monday 3rd March 2014

(10 years, 2 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Astor of Hever Portrait Lord Astor of Hever
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My Lords, the Ministry of Defence spent over £20 billion with UK industry in 2011-12. It would be for the Scottish Government to explain clearly what their armed forces would look like. However, to date, they have failed to provide sufficient clarity. At some £34 billion, the UK’s annual defence budget is one of the largest in the world. As part of the UK, Scotland benefits from the full range of the UK’s defence capabilities that its budget provides.

Lord Desai Portrait Lord Desai (Lab)
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My Lords, would it be charitable to believe that the Government, as a responsible agency, may have scenarios up their sleeve but the noble Lord is not willing to take the House into his confidence?

Lord Astor of Hever Portrait Lord Astor of Hever
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My Lords, even if I did know that I could not possibly tell him about it.