The right decision for Moray and Scotland
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THE retention of RAF Lossiemouth and proposal to bring 1,200 Army personnel to Kinloss was the right decision for Moray and Scotland, insists key UK Government figure Danny Alexander.
During a vist to the Kinloss Skills Partnership (KSP), the Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey MP welcomed the strengthening of the armed forces in Scotland.
"I think we have a solution in terms of maintaining the presence at Lossiemouth which is good for the local economy," he said.
"In addition, bringing in Army personnel is a further boost for the local economy in years to come.
"I think it was the right decision for Moray and Scotland. We have substantially increased the military personnel based in Scotland which sends out a strong statement from the UK Government."
Mr Alexander met on Monday with members of the KSP, set up last October to identify the skills of RAF personnel, MoD civilian employees and civilian contractors who have or may still face redundancy as a result of the closure of RAF Kinloss as an air station.
KSP members stressed the need for quick decisions from the Government on the infrastructure at RAF Kinloss and what areas of the base might be available for use by private industry.
"There is already a lot of interest from potential new investors because of the skills that will become available, but time is of the essence," admitted Mr Alexander.
Terry Smith, an MoD civilian employee who has responsibility for the Kinloss infrastructure, said: "Quite a few companies have approached me to ask what facilities will be available. A lot of these companies have been sitting for six months waiting on the decision."
Mr Smith said the KSP members had urged Mr Alexander to push for a quick decision on the Kinloss site, in terms of what will be required for the Army, which would allow commercial facilities to be utilised.
For the full story read 'The Northern Scot' on Friday.
