Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Thomas Docherty and Michael Moore

Wednesday 21st July 2010 Commons Chamber

[Thomas Docherty (Dunfermline and West Fife) (Lab)]

13. If he will take steps to ensure that account is taken in the strategic defence and security review of the implications for the Scottish economy of that review.

[The Secretary of State for Scotland (Michael Moore)]

Maintaining a strong Scottish economy is one of my top priorities, and I have, and will continue to have, regular conversations with my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Defence and the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the implications for Scotland of the strategic defence and security review.

[Thomas Docherty]

Thousands of highly prized, highly skilled and highly paid jobs in manufacturing and engineering are dependent on the aircraft carriers going ahead. Back in Fife, all political parties, including the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives, support the building of the second aircraft carrier. The Secretary of State’s former special adviser said that scrapping the second aircraft carrier would be crazy. Will the Secretary of State therefore come to Fife and meet the management and work force at Babcock during the summer recess, so that they can present their case—