Latest Press Releases
| DEFENCE CHIEFS MEET SNP, PLAID CYMRU AND DUP |
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| Tuesday, 14 June 2011 00:00 |
 The Scottish National Party, Plaid Cymru and the Democratic Unionist Party have today (Tuesday) highlighted concerns about defence cuts at an 'historic' meeting with the UK’s senior military commanders. They discussed the impact of the Strategic Defence Review (SDSR) on the Nations and Regions of the UK and called for the retention of key defence installations, including RAF Lossiemouth, RAF Leuchars and Fort George. Westminster SNP leader Angus Robertson MP, who described the meeting as 'a historic first', was joined by Westminster Plaid Cymru Leader Elfyn Llwyd MP PC and Ian Paisley MP of the Democratic Unionist Party. They met Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir David Richards; Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope; Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Peter Wall; and Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshall Sir Stephen Dalton. Speaking after the meeting at MOD Main Building, Whitehall, SNP Defence spokesman Mr Robertson said: “Scotland has suffered disproportionate defence cuts in recent years and I made the case for fair treatment for Scotland. This meeting was a historic first for the UK’s senior military commanders to meet with the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish parties at Westminster in this format. We are very grateful for the opportunity to highlight the impact of the Strategic Defence and Security Review on the nations and regions of the UK. “Little time remains until the UK Government announces its basing plans and made the case for no further conventional military base closures given recent disproportionate defence cuts in Scotland. “RAF Lossiemouth, RAF Leuchars, RM Condor, Fort George and other barracks as well as 2nd Division at Craigiehall should all remain. “This is the first time a formal meeting of this kind has been arranged at the Ministry of Defence for the senior commanders to hear our perspectives from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and we welcome the opportunity. “All of our parties have a long track record of representing service communities, servicemen and servicewomen and we officially mark our respects to the fallen at the Cenotaph every year on Remembrance Sunday.” |
