Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that Boeing maximises UK industrial workshare and employment during the delivery of platforms built by that company.

The Government and Boeing are working closely together on a long-term initiative to advance prosperity in the UK. Ministers from the Ministry of Defence and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy are meeting regularly with the company to monitor progress. For example, Boeing and the Government are working together to build a new £100 million P-8A facility at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, creating more than 100 new jobs. Boeing has also announced further investments in the UK, including establishing its first European factory in Sheffield. Furthermore, the Government and Boeing are working with UK suppliers to increase opportunities on future global programmes. This includes a recent event in Seattle aimed at showcasing the capabilities of UK companies to Boeing engineers and supply chain managers. A further event will take place in the autumn.