May I make it absolutely clear to the Minister that he is completely wrong? It is terminological inexactitude to say that we have plans to cancel the carrier. I have set out our position on the carrier, which, if he reads his own Secretary of State's written answers, he will...

May I make it absolutely clear to the Minister that he is completely wrong? It is terminological inexactitude to say that we have plans to cancel the carrier. I have set out our position on the carrier, which, if he reads his own Secretary of State's written answers, he will...

I know that the wings are being made at Filton, but I am not aware of any other major components of the A400M being made in the north-west. What other components will be made there?

I know that the wings are being made at Filton, but I am not aware of any other major components of the A400M being made in the north-west. What other components will be made there?

That is of great interest to people in Lancashire and, indeed, in the country generally, so would the Minister tell us what stage negotiations are at for tranche 3B and whether he has made up his mind on that yet?

That is of great interest to people in Lancashire and, indeed, in the country generally, so would the Minister tell us what stage negotiations are at for tranche 3B and whether he has made up his mind on that yet?

The hon. Gentleman knows perfectly well that our position is precisely the same as the Labour party's.

The hon. Gentleman knows perfectly well that our position is precisely the same as the Labour party's.

The hon. Gentleman might like to correct himself. The Tornado was a joint effort involving the same partners—Britain, Germany and Italy. It was not just the Typhoon that was built in that way; it built on the Tornado experience.

The hon. Gentleman might like to correct himself. The Tornado was a joint effort involving the same partners—Britain, Germany and Italy. It was not just the Typhoon that was built in that way; it built on the Tornado experience.

The hon. Gentleman is clearly anticipating much of what I shall say, but I want to put him out of his misery—or rather to disrupt his joy at spreading false rumours. He has picked up a quotation from the Lancashire Evening Post. I have a copy of his leaflet. As...

The hon. Gentleman is clearly anticipating much of what I shall say, but I want to put him out of his misery—or rather to disrupt his joy at spreading false rumours. He has picked up a quotation from the Lancashire Evening Post. I have a copy of his leaflet. As...

The leaflet was not passed on in that fashion. It was posted to me. Lorraine Fullbrook, who is the hon. Gentleman's doughty and feisty opponent—she has every prospect of succeeding him in this place—has, as he well knows, been resident in the area for five years. As the hon. Gentleman...

The leaflet was not passed on in that fashion. It was posted to me. Lorraine Fullbrook, who is the hon. Gentleman's doughty and feisty opponent—she has every prospect of succeeding him in this place—has, as he well knows, been resident in the area for five years. As the hon. Gentleman...

If the hon. Gentleman thinks that he can save money by scrapping the Typhoon, he has failed completely to understand the argument I was deploying a few minutes ago: we require an air superiority fighter, which is precisely what the Typhoon is. It is also a top-class aircraft. It is...

If the hon. Gentleman thinks that he can save money by scrapping the Typhoon, he has failed completely to understand the argument I was deploying a few minutes ago: we require an air superiority fighter, which is precisely what the Typhoon is. It is also a top-class aircraft. It is...

No, because I anticipate that the hon. Gentleman wants to ask why we have excluded Trident. We have excluded it for the very good reason that we believe that decisions have to be taken, unlike his party, which thinks that a Trident successor can be magicked up in a few...

No, because I anticipate that the hon. Gentleman wants to ask why we have excluded Trident. We have excluded it for the very good reason that we believe that decisions have to be taken, unlike his party, which thinks that a Trident successor can be magicked up in a few...

I accept what the hon. Gentleman says, but the United Kingdom needs to take a very robust stand with the United States. The relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom is in need of a bit of tender loving care. There have been a number of issues on...

I accept what the hon. Gentleman says, but the United Kingdom needs to take a very robust stand with the United States. The relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom is in need of a bit of tender loving care. There have been a number of issues on...

The hon. Gentleman is right. That is the predicament facing whoever forms the next Government; obviously, I hope that it will be the Conservative party. I have no doubt that we will face immense challenges in determining the force structures that are required to meet not only today's immediate threats...

The hon. Gentleman is right. That is the predicament facing whoever forms the next Government; obviously, I hope that it will be the Conservative party. I have no doubt that we will face immense challenges in determining the force structures that are required to meet not only today's immediate threats...

It is customary on these occasions to congratulate the hon. Member who secured the debate, and I warmly congratulate the hon. Member for South Ribble (Mr. Borrow) on having done so. It is somewhat disappointing that so few Members from the north-west were able to join us on this occasion...

It is customary on these occasions to congratulate the hon. Member who secured the debate, and I warmly congratulate the hon. Member for South Ribble (Mr. Borrow) on having done so. It is somewhat disappointing that so few Members from the north-west were able to join us on this occasion...

The hon. Gentleman continues to make such observations. In a written answer, the Secretary of State for Defence said:""We have been very clear since the publication of the Defence Green Paper that everything other than Trident is included in the Strategic Defence Review."—[Official Report, 8 March 2010; Vol. 507, c....

The hon. Gentleman continues to make such observations. In a written answer, the Secretary of State for Defence said:""We have been very clear since the publication of the Defence Green Paper that everything other than Trident is included in the Strategic Defence Review."—[Official Report, 8 March 2010; Vol. 507, c....

The Minister, who is shortly to leave Parliament, says not at all. It is a fact, and I can confirm it. Both parties will undertake a defence review. That review will consider all the options and force structures. That is what the nation requires. That is what the armed forces...

The Minister, who is shortly to leave Parliament, says not at all. It is a fact, and I can confirm it. Both parties will undertake a defence review. That review will consider all the options and force structures. That is what the nation requires. That is what the armed forces...

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment the Government has made of the rules governing access to UK defence markets by foreign-owned companies; and whether the Government plans to make changes to the rules.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment the Government has made of the rules governing access to UK defence markets by foreign-owned companies; and whether the Government plans to make changes to the rules.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what areas are considered by his Department to be key industrial capabilities which the UK defence industry must maintain.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what areas are considered by his Department to be key industrial capabilities which the UK defence industry must maintain.

Debate on a motion for the adjournment on defence procurement. (Inc ref to HC 694 and HC 1194 2002/03)

Debate on a motion for the adjournment on defence procurement. (Inc ref to HC 694 and HC 1194 2002/03)