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| MORAY MP WELCOMES ARCTIC CONVOYS DEBATE IN SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT |
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| Wednesday, 14 September 2011 00:00 |
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SNP MP for Moray, Angus Robertson, has welcomed efforts in the Scottish Parliament to highlight the contribution made by those who braved their lives to serve in the Arctic convoys during World War II.
Mr Robertson’s SNP colleague Rob Gibson, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, led a debate in the Scottish Parliament in which he criticised the repeated delays in creating a medal for those who served and called on the Prime Minister to “personally intervene, knock heads together and announce the creation of a campaign medal without any further delay”. The comments and efforts of Mr Gibson in the Scottish Parliament follow Angus Robertson’s efforts at Westminster where he has raised the issue directly with UK Government Ministers and through the tabling of an Early Day Motion in the current parliamentary session. Arctic Convoy veterans were in the Scottish Parliament for the debate, demonstrating the pride they have for the efforts made in extreme weather conditions in hostile waters and during which many lost close friends and colleagues. During the Scottish Parliament debate Rob Gibson MSP said: “ On August 20th this year three hundred people, veterans, families, supporters, Prince Michael of Kent, various diplomats such as the consul general in Scotland for the Russian Federation, Sergei Krutikov, a Norway diplomat and military attaches from Canada and the USA, local dignitaries, sea scouts, sea cadets, air cadets, who ably marshalled the traffic on narrow roads, the Merchant Shipping Association, Royal British Legion branches joined a dozen veterans of the Russian Arctic convoys to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the first of which codenamed ‘Dervish’ left Loch Ewe before they encountered the rigours of the Arctic supply route to Archangel and Murmansk the ice-free ports of our Soviet allies. “ The Arctic convoys of World War Two carried vital supplies to the northern Russian ports of Murmansk and Archangel from September 1941 until December 1944. From September 1942 the convoy of merchant ships accompanied by Royal Naval protection vessels were based at Loch Ewe. “ The route the convoys took was particularly hazardous, not only due to the horrendous weather and the dangers of drifting icebergs, but also because of the close proximity of German forces who had occupied Norway. Winston Churchill called it "the worst journey in the world". “ Prior to winning power back in 1997, Labour said it would create an Arctic Star, only to refuse to allow any recognition and then eventually grudgingly producing an Arctic Emblem in 2006 after a long campaign by veterans. “ However, both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats in opposition also promised to create an Arctic Star. Defence minister Gerald Howarth has since made sure it is included in a review of how medals are sanctioned. “ An early day motion by SNP Westminster leader and defence spokesman Angus Robertson has been signed by 47 MPs from almost every political party in the House of Commons. “ What better moment to do it is there than the 70th anniversary of the convoys.” MP for Moray and SNP Defence Spokesperson Angus Robertson said: “ To be blunt it would be helpful if the UK Government would issue a medal while there are still veterans alive to issue it to. “ It is disgraceful that they have not made good on a promise they made shortly after coming to office. “ The motion I tabled at Westminster has received cross-party support and there appears to be no good reason for the UK Government not to issue a medal. “ It is absolutely accepted that medals should not be handed out willy nilly and without good cause but it is also absolutely accepted by military experts that the Arctic Convoys represented some of the toughest duties in World War II and if that is not a deserving case it is hard to see what is. “ In addition relations with Russia have been more strained in recent times but this is an issue that could be used to bridge those differences and contribute to a more positive period in the future. “ It is a sad state of affairs that the veterans are not getting recognition here when the Russians have given them Arctic veterans memorial medals and regularly invite them as guests of honour to Second World War commemorations.” |
