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House of Commons misled on carrier delay
October 20, 2009 3:00 PM
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.
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.'
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