By Ralph Barnett

ANGUS MSP Andrew Welsh has warned that Arbroath and the surrounding area could be facing an “unprecedented economic disaster” unless plans are put in place now to prepare for the possible closure of RM Condor, the home base of 45 Commando.

The base’s future remains in the balance in the wake of Wednesday’s army, air force and navy cutbacks announced by Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon, with some sources indicating 45 Commando may be moving to England and that its present base could be moth-balled or handed over to the army—possibly as a depot for one of the proposed amalgamated Scottish regiments.

Earlier this year reports suggested that 45 Commando would be moved south of the border—possibly to RAF Lyneham—as part of the MoD’s rationalisation review of their estates.

Mr Welsh said, “The most recent communication I have received from Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram states that there is still a great deal of what he calls definition and refinement in relation to RM Condor’s future.

“He says that much detailed work still requires to be done and that officials from the Ministry of Defence will have to consult widely with other Government departments, regional development agencies and what he described as other stake-holders before any final decision is made.

“Mr Ingram indicated to me that, due to the work that still has to be undertaken, that decision is unlikely to be reached much before the end of the year but, as we are now well into July, that is less than six months away.

“He has assured me that no decision has yet been made and that he will keep me personally informed of any developments or firm proposals which might affect the future of RM Condor.

“That is to be welcomed but it in no way takes away from the terrible blow that could be facing this area in the not-too-distant future.”

While hoping for the best, Mr Welsh said the people of Angus must also prepare for what he called the worst-case scenario.

“I will be speaking as a matter of urgency with my Westminster colleague Mike Weir, with Angus Council and with Scottish Enterprise Tayside with a view to having contingency plans drawn up as a means of ensuring that the economic impact of Condor closing down—if it comes to that—would be minimised.

“The closure of Condor would have a crippling effect on employment levels in the Arbroath area as many local are employed in civilian roles at the base, and the potential loss of local authority revenue would have very significant impact on council tax payers across Angus.”

Mr Welsh said lessons must be learned from the serious economic problem which followed the withdrawal of the US Navy from Edzell.

“What should have happened at Edzell was that, when the US military upped sticks and went home, local industry should have been waiting in the wings to step in.

“As it was the government of the day did virtually nothing and what could have been the basis for an Angus Technology Park came to nothing,” he said.

Angus MP Mike Weir yesterday took the first available opportunity to raise concerns about the future of RM Condor in the House of Commons when, during Business Questions, he criticised the way that the news was released and demanded a debate on the impact of the proposals on the local economy.

“Absolutely no mention was made of the Royal Marines in the defence statement but, when I left the chamber, I received a letter from the Ministry of Defence informing me the future of the base was under review,” he said.

“Any threat to the future of Condor would be a severe blow to the local economy and we should have the opportunity of debating the economic impact of base closures.”

He added, “Defence spending is already skewed towards the south-east of England, and the Government must take account of both defence and economic factors in deciding the future of the RM Condor.

“On both counts, there is no doubt in my mind that Condor should remain open.”