L

Lord Coaker (Lab)

Speaking in the House of Lords on 10 September 2026

Debate

Defence Spending

Contribution

I do not have the exact answer at my fingertips, but the defence industry is an important part of this country’s defence and what we do. There are thousands upon thousands of jobs right across the nation which depend on a legitimate defence industry contract, and that is also part of the defence of our country. I go to Select Committees where I defend those exports against the very strict criteria that we have. This country has a proud record of ensuring that, as far as we can, the defence industries comply with all the various international rules to which they should do. It is a legitimate business, and we seek to encourage it.

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