Oral Answers to Questions

Thangam Debbonaire Excerpts

Monday 9th July 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Adrian Bailey (West Bromwich West) (Lab/Co-op)]

7. What assessment he has made of the effect on the UK defence and military aerospace industry of the UK leaving the EU.

[Thangam Debbonaire (Bristol West) (Lab)]

11. What assessment he has made of the effect on the UK defence and military aerospace industry of the UK leaving the EU.

[Martin Whitfield (East Lothian) (Lab)]

24. What assessment he has made of the effect on the UK defence and military aerospace industry of the UK leaving the EU.

--- Later in debate ---

[Guto Bebb]

I am glad to say to the hon. Gentleman that a cross-governmental group is looking into this issue to ensure that we are prepared for the possibility of having to build an independent system for the United Kingdom, but I repeat from the Dispatch Box what I have said previously: our preference is to remain involved in the Galileo project. To exclude the United Kingdom from the project would harm the project and do nothing to enhance the defence of Europe or the United Kingdom.

[Thangam Debbonaire]

People in Bristol working in the defence and aerospace industry and its supply chain are worried sick about their future if Airbus leaves because of Brexit. The industry supports thousands of jobs across the country, so why can the Government not reassure trade unions and the employers that there is a clear plan for this sector? What have they got against people in the aerospace and defence industry?

[Guto Bebb]

I do not think that this Government have anything against the aerospace industry. Indeed, the combat air strategy, which was announced by this Department recently, is a sign of our confidence in a world-beating aerospace sector. I will be very pleased when the completion of that work on our new combat air strategy is announced, as it will highlight what this country has to offer. I can assure the hon. Lady that other countries in Europe are very keen to work with us on that combat air strategy.

Oral Answers to Questions

Thangam Debbonaire Excerpts

Monday 5th March 2018 Commons Chamber

[Gavin Williamson]

I would very much like to pay tribute to the amazing peacekeeping work that our armed forces do in so many areas, South Sudan being a perfect example. It goes to show what an amazing impact our armed forces have in projecting Britain’s influence in all parts of the globe.

[Thangam Debbonaire (Bristol West) (Lab)]

What assessment has the Secretary of State carried out of the preparedness of our armed forces for any expansion in the Syrian war, given the proxy conflict between Russia and America in that zone?