Oral Answers to Questions

Katrina Murray Excerpts

Wednesday 15th January 2025 Commons Chamber

[Gavin Robinson (Belfast East) (DUP)]

1. What steps he is taking to support the aerospace sector in Northern Ireland.

[Katrina Murray (Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch) (Lab)]

2. What progress his Department has made on securing the future of Spirit AeroSystems in Northern Ireland.

[The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn)]

The Government are working with the Northern Ireland Executive to help to ensure the best outcome for Spirit’s aerospace production and its skilled and hard-working staff in the current commercial negotiations.

--- Later in debate ---

[Hilary Benn]

The administration announcement, which involves the other side of the runway, is part of a process to ensure that the takeover by Navantia goes ahead, because it is very good news. The right hon. Gentleman and I were present to celebrate that announcement, which provides security for the future. Ultimately the question of how to relate to those suppliers is a commercial matter for Navantia, but I am sure that it wants to build a good relationship with firms that will help Harland and Wolff to build the three fleet solid support ships.

[Katrina Murray]

While the contract with Airbus is welcome, there is concern about the split of the Spirit plant in Belfast. Can the Secretary of State reassure me that wider defence and aerospace contracts with companies such as Skyrora in my constituency that are held in Belfast by the non-Airbus part of Spirit will not be put at risk because of that?

[Hilary Benn]

I understand my hon. Friend’s concern. We will know the answers to these questions when the commercial negotiations are concluded, but I will draw the attention of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland to the specific issue that she has raised in relation to her constituency.