I thank my right hon. Friend for his statement, which will be well received in the Royal Navy, particularly with regard to the aircraft carriers. It will be well received across the armed forces generally, and there is no question in my mind but that it will be well received...

I thank my right hon. Friend for his statement, which will be well received in the Royal Navy, particularly with regard to the aircraft carriers. It will be well received across the armed forces generally, and there is no question in my mind but that it will be well received...

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he has made of the impact on dockyards in the UK if the Government decides to collaborate with France in the construction of the proposed two new aircraft carriers for the UK;

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he has made of the impact on dockyards in the UK if the Government decides to collaborate with France in the construction of the proposed two new aircraft carriers for the UK;

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the delay in the construction of the two new aircraft carriers for the UK has resulted in job losses at dockyards.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the delay in the construction of the two new aircraft carriers for the UK has resulted in job losses at dockyards.

(2) what talks have taken place with members of the aircraft carrier alliance on the involvement of France in the construction of the proposed two new aircraft carriers for the UK;

(2) what talks have taken place with members of the aircraft carrier alliance on the involvement of France in the construction of the proposed two new aircraft carriers for the UK;

(3) what discussions there have been with trades unions about the involvement of France in the construction of the proposed two new aircraft carriers for the UK;

(3) what discussions there have been with trades unions about the involvement of France in the construction of the proposed two new aircraft carriers for the UK;

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the decision regarding the future aircraft carriers will be made; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the decision regarding the future aircraft carriers will be made; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to place the order for the new aircraft carriers for the Royal Navy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to place the order for the new aircraft carriers for the Royal Navy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason the announcement of the order of the Future Aircraft Carriers has been delayed; and what his estimate is of the probable in-service date of (a) HMS Queen Elizabeth and (b) HMS Prince of Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason the announcement of the order of the Future Aircraft Carriers has been delayed; and what his estimate is of the probable in-service date of (a) HMS Queen Elizabeth and (b) HMS Prince of Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the capability of the Royal Navy to execute carrier-based air superiority missions following the decommissioning of the Sea Harrier; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the capability of the Royal Navy to execute carrier-based air superiority missions following the decommissioning of the Sea Harrier; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he expects any naval bases other than Portsmouth to be able to accommodate the Royal Navy’s future carriers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he expects any naval bases other than Portsmouth to be able to accommodate the Royal Navy’s future carriers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to commission new naval aircraft carriers; when he expects the carriers to be in service; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to commission new naval aircraft carriers; when he expects the carriers to be in service; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Harrier aircraft are currently deployed on each Royal Navy carrier.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Harrier aircraft are currently deployed on each Royal Navy carrier.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Harrier pilots are certificated for night take-off from, and landings onto, Royal Navy aircraft carriers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Harrier pilots are certificated for night take-off from, and landings onto, Royal Navy aircraft carriers.

Royal Navy. Seventh opposition day debate (part 1). Motion negatived on division (288 to 209). Amendment agreed on question.

Royal Navy. Seventh opposition day debate (part 1). Motion negatived on division (288 to 209). Amendment agreed on question.

I certainly agree that a visit by hon. Members would be worth while. Assuming that the ships are not at sea, they would see considerable assets. I have no doubt that if hon. Members visited Faslane, they would see a considerable support base there, and if they visited Portsmouth, they...

I certainly agree that a visit by hon. Members would be worth while. Assuming that the ships are not at sea, they would see considerable assets. I have no doubt that if hon. Members visited Faslane, they would see a considerable support base there, and if they visited Portsmouth, they...

He does.

He does.

I do not believe that there is a real danger that they will close, because those who advocate the break-up of the United Kingdom will not prevail. As I said earlier, the hon. Member for Moray is in his place, and he can give us his analysis of how big...

I do not believe that there is a real danger that they will close, because those who advocate the break-up of the United Kingdom will not prevail. As I said earlier, the hon. Member for Moray is in his place, and he can give us his analysis of how big...

I will give way to my hon. Friend in a moment. I suspect that it will not be a friendly intervention, from the forceful way in which she rose, like an Exocet missile coming at me. We are embarked upon examining how we will get best use from our existing...

I will give way to my hon. Friend in a moment. I suspect that it will not be a friendly intervention, from the forceful way in which she rose, like an Exocet missile coming at me. We are embarked upon examining how we will get best use from our existing...

No, I am going to make progress. Key to the future delivery of expeditionary capability for the next 40 to 50 years is the carrier strike programme. The joint strike fighter that will operate from the two aircraft carriers will provide unrivalled ability to project enduring military capability deep inland...

No, I am going to make progress. Key to the future delivery of expeditionary capability for the next 40 to 50 years is the carrier strike programme. The joint strike fighter that will operate from the two aircraft carriers will provide unrivalled ability to project enduring military capability deep inland...

I intend to cover that towards the end of my remarks. I am setting out what our Navy does because there have been many comments implying that the Royal Navy is broken and unable to deliver. The argument was advanced by the hon. Member for Woodspring (Dr. Fox) when he...

I intend to cover that towards the end of my remarks. I am setting out what our Navy does because there have been many comments implying that the Royal Navy is broken and unable to deliver. The argument was advanced by the hon. Member for Woodspring (Dr. Fox) when he...