From left to right: Ian Davidson MP, Quentin Davis MP Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, and John Robertson MP, onboard HMS Daring at Scotstoun

New Minister comes to Scotstoun Shipyards

Today I was at Scotstoun shipyards with the new Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Quentin Davis MP, as he visited shipyards along the Clyde including Scotstoun in our constituency.

He met with employees and the unions and in terms of the yard’s future it’s a positive sign that less than a month into the job the Minister has come here to reaffirm the Government’s and his commitment to the industry. The announcement of the carrier contract was a welcome boost for shipbuilding but with all the global economic problems it is important now to underline the firmness of the undertaking. Not only this, there’s a genuine desire to see shipbuilding grow in strength.

It was also important today for the minister to meet with the workers who are at the centre of the industry; it’s crucial for their voice to be heard and I’m pleased that the meetings today went well.

For me the shipyards have always been a concrete example of the benefits of the union with investment, skills and jobs for local communities and I think that scaling back on this, as the SNP would do, would cost us dearly. After the meeting today I’ll be working to make sure Government and industry build on the firm foundations that are in place.

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