THE row over UK naval shipbuilding in an independent Scotland has reignited after the chairman of defence giant BAE Systems said the company could resume construction at Portsmouth.
Sir Roger Carr said a return to building warships on the south coast was feasible and would depend on decisions by the UK Government. In a BBC interview broadcast yesterday he said there was "no evidence" the Government would abandon its preference for commissioning complex Royal Navy ships from UK yards.
Last year BAE Systems announced it was to end shipbuilding at Portsmouth and concentrate its operations on the Clyde. The company plans to build the MoD's new frigates, the Type 26, at Scotstoun, investing £200million in the yard for the project.
But, asked about a switch to Portsmouth, if UK ministers ordered it Sir Roger said: "Everything is feasible. It is only a matter of time, money and skills.
He added that BAE would "respond to the customer's needs".
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