By Dave Lord

A SHOCK report has shown that 30% of Britain’s armed forces have “serious or critical weaknesses” and would not be able to deploy should the need arise.

The dossier, prepared for the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee, states that “significant strain” has been put on equipment due to operational commitments, most notably in Iraq.

“Almost a third of forces had serious or critical weaknesses to their required peacetime readiness levels—their readiness to deploy on any future operations,” the report notes. “There is a high risk that forces would be unavailable for operations within the required timescale.”

The document seems to show just how overstretched the armed forces have become and is being seen as particularly ironic given Westminster’s recent decision to scrap Scotland’s historic regiments—including the famous Black Watch.

When contacted by The Courier, politicians last night attacked the government over the report, saying it was “extremely concerning” and the result of “monumental folly.”

They said the effect on the morale of front-line soldiers would be devastating.

Perth MSP Roseanna Cunningham said Scots soldiers are being risked in “extremely dangerous conditions.”

“This report is scathing of the extent to which the armed forces are overstretched,” she remarked.

“Once again it shows the stupidity of the decision to amalgamate The Black Watch and other Scottish infantry regiments out of existence.

“Scots troops are being recycled to Iraq at an unsustainable rate and the thought that members of the armed forces—operating in extremely dangerous conditions far from home—are overworked, ill-equipped and under-resourced will be a source of great worry not only to the forces themselves but also to their friends and families here at home.”

After studying the dossier, Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart also demanded answers.

“This is an extremely concerning report, which concluded that almost a third of forces had serious or critical weaknesses,” he said.

“This report, from a cross-party committee at the House of Commons, paints a very bad picture.”

Mr Wishart called on the government to “re-assess” its decision to create a single regiment in Scotland.

“The Ministry of Defence appears to be lurching from one crisis to another and this does little to assist and encourage those on the front line,” the MP stated.

“The MoD needs to completely re-assess what they are doing with our armed forces and reconsider the monumental folly of amalgamating our regiments out of existence.”

Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser also blasted the Westminster government, saying the report provided further evidence that the British army is overstretched and under-equipped.

“Instead of the British government spending time and money on restructuring the Scottish regiments and amalgamating them it should invest in the British army so soldiers are properly equipped and not overstretched,” he said.

“The Black Watch, along with other Scottish regiments, has recently been called into action in Iraq and have carried out their duty with the highest of honour, skill and dedication.

“It is a disgrace that our regiments are called upon to give so much yet the government is not prepared to adequately fund them and, instead, rips their heart out through cuts and amalgamations.”

Mr Fraser believes all future cuts should be put on hold, “The Government is still committed to £2 billion of cuts to the Ministry of Defence and there is real concern that the overstretching of our regiments will be increased.”