Rennie presses PM on carrier contracts

1.52.27pm GMT Mon 4th Feb 2008

Dunfermline and West Fife MP Willie Rennie questioned the Prime Minister on the contracts to build two new aircraft carriers at the Rosyth Dockyard in Mr Rennie's constituency. Despite announcing the decision to build the massive ships last July, the contracts for the project have still not been officially signed. During PMQs, Willie Rennie asked Gordon Brown what the cause of the delay in signing deal was.

The Prime Minister responded:

"We are in the process of agreeing the contracts and I assure him that it is our intention to go ahead with the contracts."

Speaking after Prime Minister's Question time, Mr Rennie said:

"Not for the first time, the Prime Minister dodged answering a specific question, this time on the cause of the delay in signing the contracts. It is extremely important that this deal is finalised as soon as possible to cast any doubt from the minds of the employees at Rosyth."