(Bristol North West)
(Lab):...The Minister will be pleased to know that I
have only two short questions, specifically about the role of
getting access for British industry to the European defence
industrial development programme. I welcome the Minister’s
response to us on the European Scrutiny Committee, when it was
made clear that the European Commission’s view was that only
those companies with either a majority of EU citizens or an EU
domination would be able to get access and that we do seek access
to procurement of defence equipment. Could the Minister help the
Committee to understand the Government’s position on two points
on the industrial strategy negotiations with Europe?
First, after the issue with GKN Melrose—many of my constituents
work at GKN Melrose, for example, making wing components for the
A400M military aircraft—has that given our friends in Europe
confidence in our commitment to long-term procurement of defence
capabilities in the UK in order to get access to the EDIDP after
Brexit, or does he feel that that has weakened our position?
Secondly, on the customs union and specifically the components
produced before aircraft or helicopters are made, many of my
constituents make wing components, landing gears, engines and
missiles in north Bristol. All the companies rely on the ability
to move components into and out of Europe because we do not
build, for example, F-35 fighter jets or Chinook helicopters
entirely here in the UK. Does he feel that the Government’s
position on not retaining membership of the customs union
strengthens or weakens our position in our negotiations to
maintain access and therefore get procurement contracts under the
EDIDP?
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