The Dundee HQ of the Royal Marine Reserve, based in Strathmore Avenue, could be under threat of closure.
Speculation that the detachment has been earmarked for the axe has grown and Dundee West MP Jim McGovern has written to the Ministry of Defence over the future of the Dundee HQ.
Mr McGovern says the speculation comes as the UK Government commits to increasing reserve forces funding by £400m up to 2015 and the independent commission to review the United Kingdom’s Reserve Forces called for an increase in Royal Marine Reserve manpower.
”I have been made aware that there are questions surrounding the future of the Royal Marine Reserve detachment based on Strathmore Avenue,” said Mr McGovern. ”If this speculation is found to be accurate I would be greatly concerned.
”The Dundee unit is an important part of the local community and provides state of the art facilities, not just for the Royal Marine Reserves but for local emergency services as well.
”The Government is committed to increasing the number of reservists in the UK, so closing a well equipped and well attended unit seems to make very little sense.”
A Government source said the independent commission recommended the RMR could afford to lose one HQ in the UK and some permanent staff and it is thought this has led to speculation that the Dundee HQ will be the one to go.
Mr McGovern added: ”I have written to the defence secretary seeking clarification and I sincerely hope we can secure the long-term future of the Dundee detachment.”
The Dundee detachment of the RMR is aimed at providing manpower to the Royal Marines Reserve in Scotland. It also acts as a general reserve to the Royal Marines Command, provides commando-trained specialist ranks to reinforce the regular Royal Marines on exercise and operations worldwide and aims to maintain the link between the military and civil community in Scotland.
The other bases in Scotland are in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Greenock and Inverness.