"Lots of successful of pieces of kit bought from the US...and yes they do work well. However, pause two marching paces. Not a penny from purchases goes back to the economy, either in taxes nor in the wages and thence to Mr Tesco!"
That's the same argument they use here in Aust for building the air warfare destroyers here instead of buying off the shelf from the US - at a 1/3rd of the price. And that's before taking into account that it diverts skilled people in Aust from other industry sectors where they are urgently required (Resources / Mining).
So, do the wages / taxes paid and the multiplier effect through the economy make up for the extra $ 4 billion spent or would it be better off being allocated to something else ?
The same applies to the Submarines we build.
Taking those work forces and having even 1/4 of them in the Resources / Mining industry would have a far greater positive effect on Australia than trying to falsely prop up some Politicians home base.
I would think the same points would apply to the UK.
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Last edited by 500N; 26th Sep 2011 at 23:15.