Skip to main content

Proceeding contribution from Tony Blair (Labour) in the House of Commons on Monday, 4 December 2006. It occurred during Ministerial statement on Trident.


Trident

My hon. Friend is entirely right. It is worth pointing out that thousands of people who work in and around her constituency have built up expertise over the years that we cannot afford to lose, and nor can their employers afford to keep those skills extant in circumstances where it is unclear for several years whether we will proceed. One of the reasons why this process will take slightly longer is that the submarine industry in our country and indeed in other parts of the world has contracted, so my hon. Friend’s comments are absolutely right. If we allow those skills to degrade—I think that that would be the most irresponsible thing of all—we will take a decision without ever meaning to take a decision.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
454 c31 
Session
2006-07
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Nuclear weapons Procurement USA Nuclear submarines Trident
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk