Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Aerospace Sector

Wednesday 15 January 2025 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial announcement supports takeover by Navantia, providing future security for the facility.
  • Gavin Robinson highlighted government investment and support for Spirit AeroSystems in Belfast.
  • Katrina Murray expressed concern about the impact of the Spirit plant split on local companies like Skyrora.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gavin Robinson DUP Belfast East
Northern Ireland Business & Trade
Context

Gavin Robinson expressed concern about the future of Spirit AeroSystems and its impact on advanced manufacturing and supply chains.

Question

The Secretary of State will know that the facility would not be there had it not been for Government investment and support. Guarantees were given not just to the people of Belfast, but to the staff directly employed at Spirit AeroSystems. The Government have also engaged in discussions about Harland and Wolff and Navantia, and the fleet solid support ships. Can the Secretary of State indicate his endeavour to ensure that viability will be at the forefront of his mind so that we can deliver the fleet solid support ships in Belfast and Devon?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn)

The administration announcement, which involves the other side of the runway, is part of a process to ensure that the takeover by Navantia goes ahead, because it is very good news. The right hon. Gentleman and I were present to celebrate that announcement, which provides security for the future. Ultimately the question of how to relate to those suppliers is a commercial matter for Navantia, but I am sure that it wants to build a good relationship with firms that will help Harland and Wolff to build the three fleet solid support ships.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not directly address how viability will be maintained for suppliers.

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Q2 Katrina Murray Lab Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch
Defence Northern Ireland
Context

Katrina Murray expressed concern about the split of the Spirit plant in Belfast and its potential impact on wider defence and aerospace contracts.

Question

While the contract with Airbus is welcome, there is concern about the split of the Spirit plant in Belfast. Can the Secretary of State reassure me that wider defence and aerospace contracts with companies such as Skyrora in my constituency that are held in Belfast by the non-Airbus part of Spirit will not be put at risk because of that?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn)

I understand my hon. Friend’s concern. We will know the answers to these questions when the commercial negotiations are concluded, but I will draw the attention of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland to the specific issue that she has raised in relation to her constituency.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not directly address how these contracts would be secured after the split.

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