The costs of relocating the RAF from Leuchars to Lossiemouth have been called into question after it emerged that investment has yet to be made at Leuchars to prepare for the arrival of the army.
The proposed £5 million spend is still at the planning stage, Defence Minister Mark Francois confirmed in a written answer to North East Fife MP Sir Menzies Campbell.
Mr Francois was unable to say what the total cost would be of the transfer of the RAF from Fife to Moray.
Sir Menzies told The Courier: “While clearly it is right that the army benefit from high quality training facilities and accommodation, it should not be forgotten that the Ministry of Defence justified sending the Fife-based Typhoon force north to Lossiemouth on the basis it would save the taxpayer money.”
Mr Campbell lodged a series of parliamentary questions following the departure of 6 Squadron from Leuchars to Lossiemouth last month.
The second Leuchars Typhoon squadron, 1(F) Squadron, is due to leave Leuchars by the autumn. The official handover of Leuchars to the army is March 31 next year with the army due to arrive on an as yet unspecified date next June.
Mr Campbell asked what items of infrastructure had been commissioned and installed at RAF Leuchars in preparation for the arrival of army units and how much such items would cost.
Mr Francois replied: “It is expected that over £5 million of investment will be made at RAF Leuchars to prepare for the arrival of the army units. This work is in the final stages of planning. We hope to begin the work soon.”
But asked what the cost has been of transfer of all Typhoon force mission-specific equipment and related removable fittings and fixtures from Leuchars to Lossiemouth and what estimate has been made of the total cost of the transfer, Mr Francois said: “The MoD has indicated that it will not be possible to answer the question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.”
He was also unable to answer what the cost has been to date of all Typhoon-related capital works at RAF Lossiemouth.
Mr Francois confirmed that 805 military personnel along with 287 spouses, 201 children aged up to four and 277 children aged five to 16 were due to arrive at Leuchars with the army.
Mr Francois said: “The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and 2 Close Support Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers are due to relocate to RAF Leuchars during the summer of 2015 whilst 110 Provost Company Royal Military Police will arrive in tranches from late 2015 to 2018.” He did not give specific dates.
The minister said dependents data is subject to change due to inflow and outflow of personnel to and from the units and has been estimated for planning purposes.
He noted that Fife education authority had visited the units in Germany and are in regular contact with officials regarding the number of children relocating to RAF Leuchars.
Sir Menzies said: “The priority now for the local community is that there is a smooth transition between the departure of the Royal Air Force and the arrival of the army, with as little a gap in full strength numbers of personnel as possible.”
The MoD was repeatedly contacted by The Courier for comment but had not responded by the time of going to press.