Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Oral Answers to Questions

Kim Johnson Excerpts
Monday 8th September 2025

(2 days, 15 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Luke Pollard Portrait Luke Pollard
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I am happy to meet the hon. Member to discuss the opportunities to use the defence estate to contribute to growth in every part of the country, including hers.

Kim Johnson Portrait Kim Johnson (Liverpool Riverside) (Lab)
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How will the Government ensure that Cammell Laird’s shipbuilding expertise and workforce are fully integrated into the defence industrial strategy, in order to both strengthen sovereign capability and support skilled jobs in the north-west?

Luke Pollard Portrait Luke Pollard
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There is real expertise in, and opportunities for, our shipyards nationwide—both those that support Royal Navy military vessels, and those that spend much of their time working on Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels, which are the backbone of the Royal Navy fleet. There is a real opportunity in not just shipbuilding but ship repair. I would be happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss those opportunities. Given that the Labour conference will soon take place in Liverpool, perhaps I can pop over and see her.