Moore pays tribute to the workforce of Scotstoun and Govan as Type 45 Destroyer leaves the Clyde.
As HMS Duncan leaves the Clyde, Michael Moore pays tribute to the work provided by the shipyards in Scotstoun and Govan
The Secretary of State for Scotland, Michael Moore paid tribute to the work provided by the shipyards in Scotstoun and Govan as HMS Duncan, the last of six Type 45 Destroyers to be built on the Clyde, left on her voyage to Portsmouth where she will be officially handed over to the Royal Navy.
The Secretary of State said:
“The workforce on the Clyde have a long history of building warships for the Royal Navy. With HMS Duncan and the rest of the Type 45 destroyers built on the Clyde, the shipyards of Govan and Scotstoun have once again demonstrated to the Royal Navy and to the world the exceptionally high standard of their work – for which they should be rightfully proud.
“Govan and Scotstoun are major beneficiaries of UK defence contracts such as those to build the Type 45 destroyers and Carriers. These contracts bring certainty and security, sustain thousands of skilled jobs in Scotland’s shipyards and generate billions of pounds for the Scottish economy. If Scotland were not part of the UK family then our shipyards may not be eligible to pitch for such contracts in the future.
“The Scottish Government have admitted in private that stark decisions need to be taken on a defence and security spending in an independent Scotland. In public however we have not seen any credible plans put forward on how they will maintain shipbuilding in an independent Scotland and how they could be afforded on a proposed budget of around seven per cent of what the UK spends on defence and security”
Last updated 19 March 2013 + show all updates
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Changed phrase in 2nd paragraph. "If Scotland were not part of the UK family then our shipyards may not be eligible to pitch for such contracts in the future."
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First published.