Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he is taking steps to help sustain shipbuilding jobs at (a) Belfast and (b) Appledore shipyards.

This Government recognises the vital role shipbuilding and its skilled workforce plays, not only in our national security but also in the economic prosperity and growth of the United Kingdom.

A commercial deal has been reached that will see Navantia UK purchase Harland and Wolff. We welcome the commercial deal by Navantia UK that secures the future of Harland and Wolff, protecting around 1,000 jobs at all four shipyards across the UK, including Belfast and Appledore.