The Scottish National Party (SNP) has challenged Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy to guarantee that the Labour Government won't force the closure of any of Scotland's shipyards after leaked documents revealed plans were being drawn up for the UK Government to make redundancy payments for the potential closure of the Clyde shipyards

SNP MSP for Govan Nicola Sturgeon and Westminster Defence spokesman Angus Robertson have today said Jim Murphy must deliver more than a photo shoot for workers on the Clyde.

Speaking ahead of Mr Murphy's visit Ms Sturgeon, Scotland's Deputy First Minister said: "It is the UK Labour Government driving this threat to Scotland's shipyards.

"It is all very well seeking assurances from BVT but Jim Murphy must deliver a guarantee from Gordon Brown that the Ministry of Defence will not force the closure of any Scottish shipyard.

"There can be no doubt the MoD is actively involved in these leaked proposals.  Instead of offering to fund redundancies the UK Labour Government must guarantee it will not force closures and support the staff and the company in building Scottish shipbuilding success."

Westminster SNP Leader and Defence spokesman Angus Robertson MP challenged the UK Minister to rule out yard closure plans after details were leaked in a memo from shipbuilders BVT.

Mr Robertson said the UK Government needs to guarantee shipbuilding contracts beyond the current Aircraft Carrier programme, including transportation vessels and speeding up the Frigate replacement program.

Mr Robertson said: "Jim Murphy has a talent for photo opportunities but what shipyard workers need is real action.

"Under Labour Scotland has already lost nearly 5000 defence jobs - it is a disgrace that Gordon Brown's government now appear to be planning for 5000 more.

"As a UK Minister Jim Murphy must categorically rule out his Government's behind the scenes support for the closure of these yards.

"The UK Government has unnecessarily allowed the contract for MARS transportation vessels to go out to EU competition and the FSC frigate replacement program is going nowhere fast. Both of these projects could be undertaken on the Clyde and would guarantee future work.

"Similarly BVT says it is actively pursuing export business to support the yards and grow the business.

"Instead of more photo-opportunities from Labour we need action not a run-down of the shipbuilding industry in Scotland."

Note - background:

MARS VESSELS
The MOD currently plans to procure about 11 replacement ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary under the "Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability "(MARS) program, at an estimated program cost of £2.5 billion. It became clear in mid-2007 that an adaptation of a commercial off the shelf design built in EU shipyards (but almost certainly not UK yards) was likely to be adopted to meet a Military Tanker requirement spun off from a restructured MARS projects. However with "Grey Ship" designation the vessels would not have to go out to EU competition.

FUTURE SURFACE COMBATANT
It's hoped that the Future Surface Combatant (FSC) programme will ultimately comprise a series of variants to replace the RN's Type 22 and Type 23 frigates as well as the existing MCM vessels and survey ships. The FSC Project is officially in the early Concept Phase - indeed it has been in this phase since at least at least 1998.