Globe-trotting arms dealer Cameron told to focus his attention on Britain

While Mr Cameron was "linking Britain to the fastest growing parts of the world," shadow Treasury minister Catherine McKinnell said he was failing to support industry closer to home.

Ms McKinnell intervened in a Westminster debate after north-east Labour MPs declared that their unemployment-plagued region was full of potential but starved of investment.

South Shields MP David Miliband launched the debate, arguing that the economy could not be revived by the "elixir of market forces alone," and denouncing ministers' confusing "hokey-cokey" on energy policy.

Left MP Ian Lavery accused ministers of ignoring his hard-hit Wansbeck constituency.

Despite the huge potential in the region for renewable energy, wind turbines were being imported "by the hundreds and thousands" instead of being manufactured locally, he said.