To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many jobs he estimates will be created in east central Scotland consequent upon the construction of the new aircraft carriers at Rosyth. (271247)

It is expected that the current core workforce for Rosyth Dockyard of around 1,200 will rise to around 1,400 at peak production of the carriers. In addition MacTaggart Scott and Co. Ltd., who employ 245 staff at the Loanhead site, Nr Edinburgh, were awarded the contract for the manufacture of aircraft lifts for the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers. Further additional jobs may be created in second and third tier suppliers in the area.