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Defence Policy

There is precious little point building two very expensive carriers if we are not able properly to defend and secure those assets. We have some very capable new ships coming into the Royal Navy; the new Type 45 destroyers are a superb addition to the fleet. We will need the Astute submarines to be able to be deployed, and our intention, as people in this place and my constituents know, is to build seven of them—that remains our plan. We will ensure that the assets to which we are committing are properly secured and defended.