Extract from Commons
statement on Global Combat Air Programme Treaty
(Angus) (SNP): The Secretary
of State is clearly very pleased with himself, which would
presumably account for the unnecessary amount of levity following
a statement that was actually very serious. I pay all tribute to
Italy and Japan for signing the treaty—I would not trust a cheque
that this Government had signed, much less an international
treaty—but I suspect that they take their confidence from MBDA,
from BAE Systems, from Rolls-Royce and
from Leonardo, which are behind this project, unlike the UK
Government, who are just signing it off. Does he agree that it is
absolute testament that the beating heart and the brain of this
platform comes from Leonardo’s facility in Edinburgh? Will he
also redouble his efforts to bring Sweden inside this tent? We
need Sweden for its industrial base and its technological
know-how, and for further orders.
The Secretary of State for Defence (): I do not think that anyone
in the House would accuse the hon. Gentleman of undue levity and
cheerfulness, although it is Christmas. None the less, I wish him
well. Of course we want to ensure that all our defence companies
succeed as a result of this, including those in Scotland—and who
knows, that could be a location for the headquarters.
To read all the exchanges, OPEN HERE
Extract from end of
business adjournment debate on Highways Maintenance and
Integrated Transport Funding
(Stoke-on-Trent North)
(Con):...We are also going to see upgrades to the A50-A500
corridor from Stoke to Derby, which could save drivers over 30
minutes every weekday. These enhancements could create over
12,000 new jobs and generate millions for the west midlands
economy. Following a report called “Levelling-up Stoke,
Staffordshire, Derby & Derbyshire: The Road to Success”, a
series of recommendations were put forward for long-awaited
upgrades badly needed to alleviate bottlenecks along the 90
km-long A50-A500 corridor, which links Derby, Nottingham and
Leicester to Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire and the north-west.
The road is one of the UK’s key arteries and large manufacturers
such as JCB, Rolls-Royce
and Toyota rely on this key east-west route to keep supply chains
moving and provide links to international markets...
For context, OPEN HERE
