Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of using a UK-based manufacturer to build the Border Force’s replacement cutters and coastal patrol vessels.

Border Force Maritime Command is the UK’s national sea-going law enforcement body. Its Cutter and CPV fleet tackles the whole range of law enforcement duties, including preventing and deterring importation of illegal drugs, organised people crime and other threats.

Renewal of the Border Force fleet remains a key Departmental priority.

A dynamic UK shipbuilding sector has potential to play a key role in creating and sustaining jobs and in ensuring shared prosperity around the country.