House of Commons misled on carrier delay (Aberdeen South & North Kincardine Liberal Democrats)

Aberdeen South & North Kincardine Liberal Democrats <info@aberdeensouthlibdems.org.uk>

House of Commons misled on carrier delay

October 20, 2009 9:19 AM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Labour Ministers have been accused of misleading the House of Commons on the reasons for the two year delay of the two super aircraft carriers to be completed at Rosyth Dockyard.

In response to a question from West Fife MP Willie Rennie, Secretary of State for Defence Bob Ainsworth revealed that the delay was not, as previously explained, in order to dovetail completion with the Joint Strike Fighter aircraft but because they bought Lynx helicopters from Somerset instead.Willie Rennie MP: Dunfermline & West Fife

Commenting Willie Rennie said:

'We were told at the time that the delays could not be avoided because of the JSF but it turns out they were sticking to Treasury inspired annual spending limits.

'The Government is in a shambles over the carriers. They are scrambling around for excuses for the shocking waste of 1billion pounds for no extra capability and no additional jobs.

'The armed forces are desperate for helicopters which the government have failed to provide over many years and now the carriers have been sacrificed for that mismanagement.

'The Secretary of State also failed to respond to my call for further delays. I will continue to press for that.'

Notes:

1. Question from Willie Rennie MP to Rt. Hon Bob Ainsworth MP during yesterday's debate in the House of Commons on Defence Acquisition.

Willie Rennie (Dunfermline and West Fife) (LD): In the spirit of transparency referred to in the report, will the Secretary of State clear up the reason for the two-year delay to the carriers-was it the Lynx helicopter or the JSF? Can he guarantee that there will be no further delays to the carriers?

Mr. Ainsworth: There were other pressing requirements for current operations that we needed to get into the programme-most significantly, the Lynx Mk 9. I would have thought that Members in all corners of the House recognised that we urgently needed that upgrade to our helicopter capability for current operations, which was a greater priority than keeping the then profile of the carrier. Yes, of course there were cost increases in stripping the carrier, but was it the right thing to do? I believe that it was, and that the helicopters were important enough for us to make those adjustments.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm091019/debtext/91019-0006.htm