'We'll ensure no repeat of the Falklands'

About 150 Devonport dockyard and naval base workers yesterday attended a "PM Direct" session where they put questions to David Cameron.

He was faced with a diverse range of questions ranging from the economy and adoption to the future of the dockyard and nuclear decommissioning.

Asked whether Britain could still defend the Falkland Islands if the Argentinians invaded again, Mr Cameron said: "We are capable of protecting the Falkland Islands and the way to do that is to maintain the forces there."

He said he believed the islands were now adequately defended, and added: "We have to make sure that what happened in 1981 doesn't happen again."

In 1981, Argentina overran the lightly defended islands, which they have long claimed as their own.

"I want to send a clear message and have no misunderstanding that we are committed to defending the Falkland Islands as long as the people there want to remain British. I want Argentina and others to understand that."

Mr Cameron told one member of the audience, who asked why the Government was helping India, which is spending large amounts on defence, that overseas aid was vital to protect Britain's interests.

"When we got into power we ended the aid programme to some countries, like China. We are still giving some aid to India but it is concentrated in the poorest areas.

"There are more poor people in India than there are in the whole of sub-Saharan Africa.

"We should focus on things the public can have confidence in, like childhood vaccinations. The idea that children are dying of diarrhoea is appalling."

He said there were three reasons to continue with overseas aid.

"We promised to, and Britain is one of those countries which keeps its promises. We are talking about money for people who are staggeringly poor. And think of the problems we get in Britain from those states that have gone wrong."

He gave Somalia as an example, where people were taken hostage, ships hijacked and extremists exported terrorism.

"How much more dangerous will our world be if these countries go on being broken, poor, exporting illegal migration and exporting terrorism?

"Aid gives Britain an enormous influence. Don't underestimate the aid programme as part of Britain's ability to get things done in the world."