This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Minister welcomes good news for shipbuilding
30/01/2003
Enterprise Minister Iain Gray today said that the result of the bidding process to design and build the Royal Navy's two new aircraft carriers meant a secure future for Scottish shipbuilding.
The Minister was speaking after Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon announced that the two new flagship vessels will be built using an alliance between the MOD, BAE SYSTEMS and Thales.
This will mean that the ships will be designed and built entirely in the UK - with the Clyde and Rosyth playing major roles.
Mr Gray said:
"This is great news for Scotland and Scottish shipbuilding. It is estimated that the design and construction of these two ships will create or safeguard thousands of Scottish jobs. I would expect a significant proportion of these jobs to be based on the Clyde and at Rosyth.
"Clearly both BAE SYSTEMS and Thales have shown that they have tremendous faith in the skills of the Scottish workforce. Both companies have said throughout the bidding process that they would be looking to utilise the expertise and knowledge that exists on the Clyde and at Rosyth. Today's announcement means that the best of Scottish design and construction skills will be at the heart of these new powerul and complex ships.
"The Scottish shipbuilding industry has consistently shown that it has the skills, drive and determination to have a bright future. These new contracts, which build on the work of the Clydeside Ship Yards Task Force Report,will ensure that shipbuilding in Scotland can flourish."