Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Debate: Recognising the Economic Contribution of Scotland’s Defence Sector

Murdo Fraser S6M-17981 That the Parliament recognises the significance of the defence industry to Scotland’s economy, in providing secure, well-paid and highly skilled jobs and in driving innovation in the science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) sector; notes that proposed increased spending on defence provides a substantial opportunity for growth; regrets that Scottish Government policy has meant that a Scottish Enterprise grant to support the Rolls-Royce specialist naval welding skills centre in Glasgow for submarine construction has been refused, and calls on the Scottish Government to drop the policy, which prevents public funds being invested in projects such as this. Kate Forbes S6M-17981.3 As an amendment to motion S6M-17981 in the name of Murdo Fraser (Recognising the Economic Contribution of Scotland’s Defence Sector), leave out from “; notes” to end and insert “, and in protecting national security, especially at a time of increased global instability, and notes that defence is a matter reserved to the UK Government under the Scotland Act 1998 and that the Scottish Government’s long-standing position is that public money should focus on diversification.” Daniel Johnson S6M-17981.1 As an amendment to motion S6M-17981 in the name of Murdo Fraser (Recognising the Economic Contribution of Scotland’s Defence Sector), insert at end “; welcomes the confirmation from the UK Government that it will provide the funding for the welding skills centre so that the project does not collapse; notes the contradiction in the Scottish Government’s policy, as the publicly owned Ferguson Marine shipyard is providing steel fabrication work for Type 26 frigates, and believes that this haphazard and misjudged policy is holding back the creation of jobs and economic growth in Scotland.” Lorna Slater S6M-17981.2 As an amendment to motion S6M-17981 in the name of Murdo Fraser (Recognising the Economic Contribution of Scotland’s Defence Sector), leave out from "recognises" to end and insert "notes with concern that, despite the Scottish Government’s policy that public funds to the defence industry should focus on diversification, at least £8 million of Scottish Enterprise grants have been awarded to companies involved in arms dealing and manufacturing since 2019; further notes that a number of these businesses have directly supplied weapons and military equipment to Israel during its assault on Gaza; understands that, despite this, still no company has failed Scottish Enterprise human rights due diligence checks, and calls, therefore, on the Scottish Government to urgently report on its promised review of Scottish Enterprise’s human rights checks before the summer recess and to provide Scottish Enterprise with a clear direction on the use of public funds to ensure that Scotland meets its international obligations."