Committee Raises Fears for Ship Building Jobs If Independence Goes Ahead

10th February 2013

COMMITTEE URGES SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT TO RESPOND TO ITS REPORT: “SEPARATION SHUTS SHIPYARDS”

The Chair of the Scottish Affairs Committee has today written to Nicola Sturgeon MSP, Deputy First Minister for Scotland, to ask the Scottish Government to formally respond to the Committee’s recent report, “Separation Shuts Shipyards”.

In the report, published 20 January 2013, the Committee warned that the Scottish shipbuilding industry and its employees face a choice between two very different futures at the referendum on Separation.

Ian Davidson MP, Chair of the Committee, said: “Our report concluded that the choice faced by the shipyards and shipbuilders in Scotland is stark and clear. Stay in the UK and Scottish shipyards have a secure source of work for decades to come. Leave the UK and, in short, Scottish shipyards are doomed.

“Scottish voters must have as much information as possible about the consequences of Separation. We have called on the Scottish Government to set out what they believe Separation would really mean for the Scottish people and setting out their position on this important issue would be a positive step towards allowing the people of Scotland to make an informed decision.”

“We look forward to receiving a response.”