Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Oral Answers to Questions

Tom Tugendhat Excerpts
Monday 9th July 2018

(5 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Gavin Williamson Portrait Gavin Williamson
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We have constant discussions with not just Rolls-Royce but many other companies because of the importance of our whole industrial partnership. We will continue to do so.

Tom Tugendhat Portrait Tom Tugendhat (Tonbridge and Malling) (Con)
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Will my right hon. Friend join me in welcoming the Premier of South Australia, who will be in the House in about four minutes and whom I will be taking to tea in the Pugin Room? I would be very grateful if my right hon. Friend would like to join us to congratulate him on buying the Type 26 and encourage his Canadian opposite numbers to do likewise. Does he agree that this offers an opportunity to build a Commonwealth of common law on our sea lanes and keep trade open for all of us?

Gavin Williamson Portrait Gavin Williamson
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We will work ever more closely with our Commonwealth cousins in order to do that. The Royal Australian Navy’s making this investment is an absolutely vital step forward for our relationship with it. This is about more than just buying ships; it is also about the capability to operate together and keep world sea lanes safe.