PRIME MINISTER PRESSED OVER MORAY BASE CLOSURES

For immediate release – Wednesday 27 October 2010



Attn: NEWS DESKS


DEFENCE / POLITICAL CORRESPONDENTS


BIGGEST JOB LOSSES SINCE TORIES DECIMATED SCOTTISH MANUFACTURING IN 1980s




Raising concerns over the future of RAF Lossiemouth at Prime Minister’s Questions today (Wednesday) Moray MP and Westminster SNP leader Angus Robertson warned that closure of the base would result in the biggest job losses in Scotland since the Tories decimated the Scottish manufacturing industry in the 1980s.


Earlier, at Scottish Questions, Mr Robertson rounded on the failure of the Westminster Government to put in place any resources to mitigate the social and economic impact of the closure of neighbouring RAF Kinloss on the community.


Mr Robertson said:


“Judging from David Cameron’s response these base closures are just a joke for the Tories, but the reality is that we are facing the biggest job losses in Scotland since the Tories decimated the Scottish manufacturing industry in the 1980s.


“This is no laughing matter for people in Moray, not least our service personnel who are currently serving with bravery and distinction in Afghanistan.


“The UK Government must acknowledge the responsibility that they have to the Moray community. One week after the Kinloss closure announcement and there has been no announcement of help or support from the UK Government to mitigate the impact of these devastating cuts.


“We must ensure that the UK Government recognises the incredibly detrimental impact that the decision taken on Kinloss will have and the potential for even greater damage from the upcoming decisions on Lossiemouth.


“If London ministers withdraw the RAF from Lossiemouth they will have cut service numbers in Scotland by more than 25%, compounding the extreme difficulties for Moray resulting from the dubious decision to close RAF Kinloss.


“The UK Government may call this a Defence Review but the reality is an all out offensive against Moray's communities by the Conservative/Lib Dem Coalition. When he became PM, David Cameron promised a Respect Agenda but to date all he has done is treated Scotland with contempt.”



ENDS




Note:


1. A transcript of Mr Robertson’s exchange with the Prime Minister is detailed below:


Angus Robertson: The Prime Minster will decide shortly whether to close RAF Lossiemouth in addition to RAF Kinloss causing the biggest job losses in Scotland since the Tories closed Scottish manufacturing industry in the 1980s. This would mean that Scotland would have fewer service personnel, fewer military bases, aircraft, vessels, army battalions and less defence spending than all our independent Scandinavian neighbours of comparative size. Why is the PM pushing disproportionate defence cuts in Scotland while concentrating defence spending in the south of England?



David Cameron: We are going ahead with the building of the aircraft carriers, which will be built in Scotland. I have to say to the hon. Gentleman if we had an independent Scotland you wouldn’t be flying planes, you’d be flying by the seat of your pants.



2. A transcript of Mr Robertson’s exchange with the Secretary of Scotland is detailed below:



Angus Robertson: Thank you Mr Speaker, the UK Government has known for months the social and economic consequences of defence cuts in Scotland so could the Secretary of State confirm what specific resources were allocated as part of the comprehensive spending review
to mitigate base closures?


Secretary of State for Scotland (Michael Moore): Mr Speaker, I would just like to say to the Hon Gentleman, I welcomed the opportunity to meet with him in Moray last week. I recognise that for him and his constituents, the decisions taken in the defence review as a result of the overall assessment of Britain’s national security, have not been good and I appreciate that there’s a lot of concern about the future.


As I said in Moray and I repeat today, I am happy to work with the Hon Gentleman to ensure we work through the consequences of this.


Angus Robertson: Thank You Mr Speaker, so is the Secretary of State, one week after the closure announcement confirming to the House today that no specific resources have been put in place and no support has been provided by the UK Government on the ground in places like Moray?


Secretary of State for Scotland (Michael Moore): As I made clear to him when we were in Moray and I repeat today, we will work with him, with the taskforce and others who are interested in the future of the Moray bases to ensure that we resolve things as well as possible. Can I reassure him – particularly since he’s raised this issues several times this week – that no decision has been taken over the future of the Tornadoes at RAF Lossiemouth.