John Robertson MP today asked the Prime Minister in the House of Commons over the Aircraft Carriers being built on the Clyde, which would be under threat if the Conservatives formed the next government.

Mr Robertson asked the Prime Minister to do something which the leader of the opposition and his defence spokesman have so far refused to do; give an assurance that on day one of the next parliament he will not re-examine the break clauses of the £4 billion contract to build two aircraft carriers on the Clyde.

The Prime Minister responded: “We are committed to the aircraft carriers and the programme that is necessary for the navy and the defence of our country”.

The Prime Minister added: “Their [the Tories] silence on this issue today suggests they cannot commit themselves to the aircraft carrier programme and as the Shadow Chancellor has hinted, it maybe one of the first cuts under a Conservative government”.

Afterwards John Robertson MP said; “The Prime Minister was right, the Tories and David Cameron had been very vocal throughout PMQs until this issue was raised, then they all seemed to be taking a vow of silence.”

Mr. Robertson added: “David Cameron had just said that the Tories had won the Cold War, and got very animated, but when this question was raised he went as silent as a church mouse”.

John Robertson MP said: “The truth is that successive Tory governments have cut defence spending; I remember Sir Francis Pym fell out with Margaret Thatcher over her plans to axe defence spending, and John Major made cuts to the British Army of 3% a year between 1992-1997 and cut the defence budget by over half a billion a year”.

John Robertson MP ended: “They have made the choice for the electorate in the coming elections clear; vote Tory and you’re voting for unemployment on the Clyde”.

Only last month the future of the aircraft carriers and the shipbuilding on the Clyde was put into doubt by comments by Liam Fox the Shadow Defence Minister who told union representatives that he planned on day one of a conservative Government would be to seek details about break clauses in the carrier contracts. Jeopardising the future of the entire industry, which risks up to14, 000 jobs?

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1. Liam Fox has refused to match Labour’s commitment to ring-fence the Defence budget in 2010/11
2. The Tories refuse to give assurances on the future of ship building on the Clyde.
3. On 24/02/10 the Shadow Defence Spokesman Liam Fox told a meeting of trade union officials that he will look into open up the defence contracts.

The Hon. John Robertson MP is the Labour Member of Parliament for Glasgow North West, which comprises the Clyde shipyards.

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