Parliament Workbench
Data: Motions & questions to 19 Nov 2026 · Votes to 12 Nov 2026

Motion For Debate · S4M-08348 · Session 4

The Future of the Defence Industry in Scotland

Carried Lodged by Johann Lamont Lab Lodged 18 Nov 2013 Debate 20 Nov 2013

The motion

That the Parliament regrets BAE System’s announcement that it intends to cut 1,775 jobs across its UK shipyards and supports all efforts to minimise compulsory redundancies and to redeploy people where possible; welcomes, however, the confirmation by BAE Systems that the Clyde is its preferred UK location for the construction of the future Type 26 global combat ship; notes that Scotland plays a significant role in the UK, European and worldwide defence industries, including hosting the largest defence electronics manufacturing site in the UK in addition to its shipbuilding but notes the benefit to this industry of UK defence contracts, and therefore considers that the best way to safeguard the future of Scotland’s defence manufacturing industry is to remain in the UK.

What MSPs voted on: the motion as amended

Labour’s motion was changed by an SNP amendment (S4M-08348.3) before this vote. A vote ‘for’ was a vote for Labour’s motion with the SNP’s changes.

That the Parliament regrets BAE System’s announcement that it intends to cut 1,775 jobs across its UK shipyards and supports all efforts to minimise compulsory redundancies and to redeploy people where possible; welcomes, however, the confirmation by BAE Systems that the Clyde is its preferred UK location for the construction of the future Type 26 global combat ship; notes that Scotland plays a significant role in the UK, European and worldwide defence industries, including hosting the largest defence electronics manufacturing site in the UK in addition to its shipbuilding but notes the benefit to this industry of UK defence contracts, and therefore considers that the best way to safeguard the future of Scotland’s defence manufacturing industry is to remain in the UK.S4M-08348.3 SNP ; notes that independence will bring new opportunities for this industry, as for others, with naval procurement a key part of the future of Scotland's shipyards, and further notes that freeing Scotland's share of the estimated £100 billion lifetime cost of the Trident replacement programme would widen the choices that could be made to support increased diversification and take action to boost exports.

Final wording as read into the Official Report at Decision Time. The marked changes are worked out by this site from the amendment texts and match that wording.

Amendments

  1. S4M-08348.3 SNP Keith Brown Agreed vote, 63–54
  2. S4M-08348.1 Conservative Murdo Fraser Defeated vote, 54–64
  3. S4M-08348.2 Liberal Democrat Willie Rennie Not put to a vote (worked out by this site: never called at Decision Time: not selected or not moved)

Vote

1 division
  1. 20 Nov 2013
    The Future of the Defence Industry in Scotland
    S4M-08348as amended by SNP
    Carried
    62 for, 55 against, 1 abstained

Amendments

3
  1. S4M-08348.1
    The Future of the Defence Industry in Scotland
    Murdo Fraser Con Lodged 19 Nov 2013
    Defeated
    54 for, 64 against
  2. S4M-08348.2
    The Future of the Defence Industry in Scotland
    Willie Rennie LD Lodged 19 Nov 2013
    No recorded vote
  3. S4M-08348.3
    The Future of the Defence Industry in Scotland
    Keith Brown SNP Lodged 19 Nov 2013
    Carried
    63 for, 54 against

Supporters

No MSP has added their name to this motion.

In the Official Report

4 contributions mention S4M-08348
  1. 20 Nov 2013
    Defence Industry
    Elaine Smith Lab Meeting of the Parliament

    The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-08348, in the name of Johann Lamont, on the future of the defence industry in Scotland. I advise members that we are tight for time in all this afternoon’s debates.

  2. 20 Nov 2013
    Decision Time
    Tricia Marwick Meeting of the Parliament

    The next question is, that amendment S4M-08348.3, in the name of Keith Brown, which seeks to amend motion S4M-08348, in the name of Johann Lamont, on the future of the defence industry in Scotland, be agreed to. Are we agreed?Members: No.

  3. 20 Nov 2013
    Decision Time
    Tricia Marwick Meeting of the Parliament

    The next question is, that amendment S4M-08348.1, in the name of Murdo Fraser, which seeks to amend motion S4M-08348, in the name of Johann Lamont, on the future of the defence industry in Scotland, be agreed to. Are we agreed?Members: No.

  4. 20 Nov 2013
    Decision Time
    Tricia Marwick Meeting of the Parliament

    The next question is, that motion S4M-08348, in the name of Johann Lamont, on the future of the defence industry in Scotland, as amended, be agreed to. Are we agreed?Members: No.