Question reference: S5W-10175
- Asked by: Maree Todd, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 4 July 2017
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Current status: Answered by Keith Brown on 19 July 2017
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to the UK Government in relation to reconsidering planned military base closures in Scotland.
Answer
The Scottish Government remains opposed to the Ministry of Defence’s planned base closures in Scotland and has made repeated representations to the UK Government to set out concerns regarding their November 2016 announcement, “A Better Defence Estate”. The extensive cuts outlined will result in a 19% reduction to the defence estate in Scotland and will have a major impact on communities across the country. Following repeated requests for meetings, I met with Mark Lancaster MP (the former Defence Minister for Veterans, Reserves and Personnel) on 25 March to outline concerns.
In April this year, the Scottish Parliament passed a motion calling on the UK Government to properly engage with the Scottish Government, Local Authorities and communities before the cuts go ahead. I met the Defence People and Veterans Minister, Tobias Ellwood MP, on 03 July to urge Defence Ministers to act on this and to request again that the planned base closures in Scotland be reconsidered. After the meeting, I wrote to Mr Ellwood on 10 July stressing that it is vital that MOD Ministers commence meaningful dialogue.