Sir, Douglas Hamilton, in his letter on the future of RM Condor, appears to misunderstand entirely where any potential threat to the base and a Marines presence there might come from.
It isn’t the prospect of independence which should be causing Mr Hamilton concern but the possibility of remaining in a UK which, under successive governments, has slashed the defence footprint north of the border.
Arbroath folk remember only too well a pronouncement from the Westminster Government, under one of their now regular defence reviews, that the Marines would be moved from Condor to the south of England with a vague commitment to relocate army units to Arbroath . . . which was then abandoned.
The Scottish Government’s White Paper goes into defence provision in considerable detail including a clear commitment to retaining all existing main bases, an explanation of how the trend of cutting personnel (civilian and service) will be reversed and the opportunities there will be for indigenous and non-indigenous servicemen and servicewomen to be part of the new Scottish defence set-up.
The latest available figure for defence spending in Scotland is £1.4 billion less than Scotland’s £3.5 billion annual contribution to UK defence and security budgets.
Ministry of Defence Employment in Scotland civilian and service has fallen from 24,660 to 15,340 over the 13 years to 2013.
The White Paper outlines an annual spend in an independent Scotland of £2.5 billion and the employment opportunities which will flow from this.
With the UK Chancellor George Osborne talking of making further cuts to Westminster spending of £25 billion, Mr Hamilton might want to seek assurances from London as to the long-term future of the local and Scotland wide defence footprint if our country were to remain in the UK.
Graeme Dey. MSP Angus South.
Norway check out the cost of living there!
Sir, Henry Malcolm has this typical SNP view that Norway is the country of riches and prosperity “We need to take the next step” (Letters, January 14).
What he fails to mention is the basic rate of income tax is 28%, VAT is 25% and even the lowly pint of beer is around £12! I suggest he checks out the cost of living there.
The oil industry in Norway is owned by the state. In Scotland the oil industry is owned by foreign companies, the only thing we own is the territorial waters from which it is extracted.
How much more in taxes are we going to have to pay to sustain the Scottish Government spending? The Holyrood parliament building alone is costing more than £141,000 per month in maintenance, we are paying huge subsidies for wind generators to line the pockets of rich landowners, and so the list goes on.
What will happen to the 12,000 shipyard workers if independence comes about?
We are all aware the navy will divert its orders to Portsmouth, Tyneside or Belfast. Why should they go to a foreign country when they have the facilities at home?
Charles Henderson. 5 High Street, Auchtermuchty.
Why no lights at night time?
Sir, Why do cyclists insist on travelling with no lights after dark, particularly on rural roads thus creating the situation of “an accident waiting to happen”?
At one time, front and rear lights, a rear reflector and efficient brakes were mandatory, but it appears that such legislation has either been repealed or is ignored.
Remember the former road safety slogan for cyclists and pedestrians “See and be seen”, it could save a life or serious injury!
John McDonald. 14 Rosebery Court, Kirkcaldy.
They’ve no right to be on board
Sir, That the petition to end church leaders’ legal right to make decisions on school education is being considered is a welcome move.
It is an obscenity that councils have to have religious “representatives” on education committees.
It is wholly wrong that education policy for the secular non-church going majority should be dictated by religious hardliners.
This is the policy in Iran.
Having theists on education boards does not provide a vital service. It is all about control .
The churches want to retain the right to tell lies to children about hell before they develop critical faculties.
No-one would tolerate representatives of Scientology, the Moonies, or followers of David Icke being given a voice on education boards and so it should be with the Catholic Church and Church of Scotland.
Alan Hinnrichs. 2 Gillespie Terrace, Dundee.
Branded a “sneak”
Sir, I was horrified to read that SNP Cllr David Alexander has apparently branded another councillor a “sneak”. Surely any true Scot would have used the word “clype”?
Jane Ann Liston. 5 Whitehill Terrace, Largo Road, St Andrews.