Craigiehall on the agenda at Westminster today

Mike Crockart MP for Edinburgh West will today take part in a debate on the progress of defence reform and the Strategic Defence and Security Review.

Since Dr Liam Fox, then Secretary of State for Defence, announced the closure of Edinburgh’s historic army estate, Mr Crockart has argued the case for Craigiehall in his constituency as well as the City’s Redford and Dreghorn barracks.

Commenting ahead of today’s debate, the Edinburgh West MP said:

“I have been running a campaign calling on the MOD to re-think their proposals. I made the case for a future for Craigiehall to the Secretary of State for Scotland in November and I hope to be able to speak today to restate that call.

“I have asked over 80 Parliamentary Questions but there are still no real answers to many of the fundamental financial questions. It puts the financial case for the sell-off and move to a ‘superbarracks’ on a very shoogily peg.

“I think that the capacity review currently underway will reveal that many aspects of the present proposals are simply undeliverable.

“The closure of the Craigiehall HQ would have a significant impact on civilians currently employed there. 103 civilian roles would be lost in Edinburgh West in addition to a loss of 89 military jobs; and with these cuts the loss of very experienced and skilled staff.

“I believe that there are clear efficiency savings to be made in co-locating headquarters at Craigiehall. Not only would this work at a command and cost level but it would also save the experience and skill of those at Craigiehall.

“I urge the MOD to think again. You can join my campaign for the future of Craigiehall on my website atwww.mikecrockartmp.com.”