Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Phil Wilson and Stuart Andrew

Monday 22nd October 2018 Commons Chamber

[Stuart Andrew]

I pay tribute to my hon. Friend, and to my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Torridge and West Devon, for the work that they are doing on an issue that I know is important to them. One of the key aims of the national shipbuilding strategy is that UK shipbuilders should be competitive in overseas markets as well as domestically, so that we can secure their long-term future. I hope that they will engage in all the competitions that exist.

[Phil Wilson (Sedgefield) (Lab)]

Mr Gorbachev has said that the United States’ decision to withdraw from the intermediate-range nuclear forces treaty is a mistake. He has said:

"Under no circumstances should we tear up old disarmament agreements...Do they really not understand in Washington what this could lead to?”

I am not naive about Russia and the threat from Russia, but what is the future of existing international nuclear non-proliferation treaties, and what additional effect will that have on NATO’s budget?

[Stuart Andrew]

I apologise for missing the last part of the hon. Gentleman’s question, but we want to ensure that we are a full member of NATO.

[Phil Wilson]

What are the implications for its budget?

[Stuart Andrew]

We have made a commitment to spend 2% of GDP, and we have never spent less than 2%. We are doing everything we can to work with other partners and encourage them to do exactly the same.