OUTLOOK: BAE boss Ian King keeps mum over Scottish independence

Westminster Outlook A simple question for BAE Systems' chief executive, Ian King: Have you spoken to the Ministry of Defence about the possible consequences for BAE's operations in Scotland should there be a "yes" vote for independence?

Mr King has previously told me that BAE does not have any contingency plans for shipyards in Scotland in the event of independence. Yesterday he at least said that BAE would welcome "more clarity" on independence, but stressed that the vote was a matter for the Scottish.

Mr King then growled twice that he had answered my question. Obviously, he had not. Maybe independence would make no difference to BAE workers north of the border, maybe it would.

Either way, their boss should tell them what independence could mean, even if he won't tell me.