Lara Bird
Main Page: Lara Bird (Scottish National Party - Arbroath and Broughty Ferry)Department Debates - View all Lara Bird's debates with the Ministry of Defence
(2 days ago)
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Wes Streeting
I can give my hon. Friend that commitment. Indeed, in front of the House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee last week, I highlighted my dissatisfaction with investment in the north-east. The Government have already taken steps since the general election to increase defence spending in the north-east, as the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry reported, but we can and will do more, including through the employment pledge.
Lara Bird (Arbroath and Broughty Ferry) (SNP)
Scotland is on the frontline of defending the High North, yet despite the very real threats we face, the UK Government spend seven times more on defence in south-east England than in the whole of Scotland combined. Given the very real threats that we face, and given that our coastland is currently undefended by the Royal Navy, will the Secretary of State commit to placing a surface-level vessel permanently on the north coast of Scotland?
Wes Streeting
Can I just say gently to the hon. Member that I think it is both inaccurate and irresponsible to suggest that Scotland’s coast is undefended? In the same spirit, I underscore that I am very willing to work with the Scottish Government in defence of the United Kingdom, regardless of our constitutional differences. It is important that we work together, and I hope we can do so, in the spirit in which I answered her question.