Scottish Regiments’ Campaign Welcomes Scottish Parliamentary Debate

“Keep Our Scottish Battalions” campaign urges MSPs of all parties to participate in debate on the proposed cuts to Scottish regiments.

The Keep Our Scottish Battalions campaign has asked MSPs of all parties to take part in the debate being held in the Scottish Parliament tomorrow (Thursday) on the threatened cuts to Scottish regiments.  The debate, secured by Tory MSP Murdo Fraser and enjoying cross party support, asks for the Scottish Executive to make urgent representations to the Ministry of Defence in London against these proposals in the interests of the Scottish economy and Scotland’s military culture.

Campaign spokesman Brigadier Allan Alstead said:  “Everyone who is aghast at this Treasury-driven move to cut and amalgamate Scotland’s historic infantry battalions will congratulate Murdo Fraser in securing this important debate.  This is an issue which transcends party boundaries, and we sincerely hope that MSPs from across the political spectrum will join together to condemn these ill-judged and savage proposals.”

A copy of Murdo Fraser’s motion is attached below.

22 September 2004

Media contacts:
Clive Fairweather 0131 718 4262 07770 284537
Stuart Crawford 0131 718 4262 07957 859067

Notes to Editors

1. Brigadier Allan Alstead commanded the Kings’ Own Scottish Borderers in 1974-76 and 51 Highland Brigade in 1988-90.  On leaving the army he became Chief Executive of Sportscotland before joining Mercy Corps Scotland as Chairman.  He was recently in Afghanistan with the Mercy Corps.
2. The Keep Our Scottish Battalions campaign seeks to preserve the current identities of all six Scottish infantry battalions – the Royal Scots, the Black Watch, the King’s Own Scottish Borderers, The Highlanders, the Royal Highland Fusiliers and the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders.
3. The Scottish Parliament will debate the motion on Thursday 23rd September at 5pm, with a photo opportunity with Murdo Fraser MSP and veterans from around the country at the Parliament at 4pm.

S2M-1590# Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) :  Scotland's Regiments— That the Parliament notes the outstanding commitment and service of Scotland’s six infantry regiments for this country over the centuries; further notes that the recent war in Iraq was the latest conflict which showed Scotland’s regiments to be a modern, effective fighting force as well as institutions steeped in history and tradition; condemns the proposed loss of one of Scotland’s regiments and the amalgamation of existing regiments into one or two new regiments, with the resultant loss of individual regimental identity and traditions; believes that, in a time of increased commitments across the globe, our armed forces must have the necessary resources and structure to protect our country, deter aggression and safeguard our vital interests in the wider world, and considers that the Scottish Executive should make urgent representations to the Ministry of Defence against these proposals in the interests of the Scottish economy and Scotland’s military culture.

Supported by: Bill Aitken, Mr Ted Brocklebank, Mr David Davidson, Rt Hon Lord James Douglas-Hamilton, Christine Grahame, Alex Johnstone, David McLetchie, Nanette Milne, Margaret Mitchell, Mr Brian Monteith, David Mundell, Mike Rumbles, Murray Tosh, Jamie McGrigor, Mike Pringle, Mary Scanlon, Phil Gallie, John Scott, Donald Gorrie, Jean Turner, Brian Adam, Tricia Marwick, Bruce Crawford, John Swinburne

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