Defence probe MPs to visit dockyard

Sep 27 2012

MPs investigating the impact of Scottish independence on the defence industry are visiting Rosyth dockyard.

Members of Westminster's Scottish Affairs Committee will take in the Fife yard on the second day of a two-day trip north of the border.

Other sites on the tour include Vector Aerospace in Perth and the Raytheon plant in Glenrothes.

Lindsay Roy, MP for Glenrothes and Central Fife, who sits on the committee, said: "The Kingdom is heavily reliant on the defence industry in terms of employment and the money it brings into the local economy, and there are real fears that this will suffer if Scotland becomes an independent nation."

The committee, dominated by unionist MPs, has already said defence jobs will go if voters back independence in the 2014 referendum.

Convener Ian Davidson, a Labour MP, earlier claimed shipyards "will close".

Angus Robertson, the SNP's defence spokesman, said independence would allow Scotland to reverse decline in the industry.

"Instead of scaremongering on Scotland's defence prospects, this committee should be probing the 11,000 military job losses - more than 600 in the last few months - or the £5.6 billion defence underspend in Scotland at the hands of Westminster governments.

"After a Yes vote in the referendum, expert military advice and negotiation with Whitehall will determine the transition of decision-making, military units, assets and liabilities."