Angus South Constituency MSP Graeme Dey was one of the MSPs who formed a cross party group who discovered more about life in the naval service at Royal Marines Condor, Arbroath, yesterday and today.
The purpose of their visit was to help MSPs to better understand the range of social and welfare issues relevant to armed forces personnel, and their families, within their community.
During their visit the MSPs saw displays of Royal Marine marksmanship, all terrain driving, stalking, artillery, and met with the Royal Navy’s bomb disposal experts from HM Naval Base Clyde. They also met with the families of RM Condor and the Naval Families Federation.
“While Defence is clearly reserved to Westminster, it is the Scottish Parliament’s policies and decisions that affect the day to day lives of Scots-based service personnel,” said Naval Regional Commander, Captain Chris Smith.
“This is why it is essential that our elected representatives better understand military life, all the more so given that Scotland will be home to the entire Submarine Service from 2020, as well as an Army Infantry Brigade, the RAF’s Quick Reaction Alert interceptors (North) and submarine hunting Maritime Patrol Aircraft flying from Lossiemouth.”
Mr Dey commented:
“The Marines and their families are well integrated into the local community, the closeness of the relationship having been demonstrated quite recently when the base opened its doors to host the Fireworks for Arbroath event.
“But as the local MSP I was keen to learn more about what happens within Condor on a day to day basis and see aspects of marine training for myself.
“It was a very informative visit.’’
Launched by Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh MSP and the Ministry of Defence in April, the Armed Forces Visit Programme has already had successful fact-finding visits to the Army’s Glencorse Barracks, Penicuik, and RAF Lossiemouth, Moray.
The MOD has around 10,000 sailors, soldiers and air personnel living permanently in Scotland, supported by 8,000 reservists and civilians.
Scottish industry benefits from Defence spending £1.5bn with it each year, supporting 9,750 private sector jobs in Scotland.
The Defence Board confirmed in February 2017, that £1.7 billion would be invested to upgrade Scottish military bases over the next decade.
