Oral Answers to Questions

Gregory Campbell Excerpts
Wednesday 15th October 2025

(1 day, 22 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Matthew Patrick Portrait Matthew Patrick
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My hon. Friend is right. I warmly welcome this investment and I know he is rightly proud of the defence expertise in his constituency. Backed by this Labour Government increasing defence spending to 2.5%, Harland & Wolff is building the next generation of support ships for our Royal Navy. We are safeguarding jobs, skills and our future security.

Gregory Campbell Portrait Mr Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry) (DUP)
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I welcome both the Minister to his place and the defence growth deal. Does he agree that he now needs to work with the Northern Ireland Executive to ensure that the supply chain in Northern Ireland extends beyond Harland & Wolff and the greater Belfast area, so that everyone in Northern Ireland can benefit from what is potentially a life-changing development for industry there?

Matthew Patrick Portrait Matthew Patrick
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I thank the hon. Gentleman for his warm words. He is right that we need to work across Northern Ireland to ensure that the life-changing investment he mentions is felt throughout, and I will make sure that happens.