SNP RAISE CONCERNS OVER BASE CLOSURES

The Scottish National Party have today (Monday), lodged a submission to the House of Commons Defence Select Committee inquiry into the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR).

In the submission, the SNP points to the £5.6bn underspend in defence in Scotland and reiterates the call for both RAF Leuchars and RAF Lossiemouth to be saved from closure threatened by the Tory and Liberal Democrat coalition government at Westminster.

The deadline for submissions was today.

Commenting, SNP Westminster Leader and Defence Spokesperson, Angus

“The SNP is using every opportunity to press  the case for the retention of RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Leuchers.

“ The past 10 years have already seen massive underinvestment in defence in Scotland. Since the last defence review, 10 000 defence jobs have been lost. Closing two of Scotland’s three RAF bases – as the Tory Government is currently proposing – would slash uniformed personnel by a further 25% .

“ This is an issue that affects families and communities the length and breadth of Scotland, and I would encourage the Defence Select Committee to examine the disproportionate decline in the defence footprint in Scotland as part of their consideration of the SDSR.” Robertson MP said: