Stephen Metcalfe MP rose to
the floor of the House of Commons yesterday to stress the local importance of
defence exports to South Basildon and East Thurrock.
In the exchange, Mr Metcalfe
first asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence, Philip
Dunne, what steps he is taking to increase defence exports. The Minister
responded saying that the Government are working tirelessly to support economic
growth to which responsible defence exports make an important contribution. He
also stated that Ministers across departments are engaged in supporting allies
in acquiring top-quality British military equipment.
The local MP then stressed
the importance of defence exports to South Basildon and East Thurrock which has
a number of defence and aerospace contractors – many of which Mr Metcalfe has
visited. He then asked the Minister to join him in welcoming the 62% growth
achieved last year in defence exports.
As well as welcoming the
figure, which is up to £8.8 billion, the Minister stressed the
cross-governmental support for increasing exports and highlighted the
forthcoming defence and security exhibition soon to take place at the ExCel
Centre which brings buyers from all over the world to see the best of British
technology.
Mr Metcalfe later
commented: “We have a fantastic heritage in
this industry in South Basildon and Thurrock. Companies such as Selex ES are
vital to the local and national economy and I will do all I can to support
further growth in defence exports in 2013.”
