Current status: Answered by Keith Brown on 15 November 2016
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the potential economic and social impact, what its response is to reports that Fort George Barracks is under threat of closure.
On 7 November 2016, the Defence Secretary announced eight sites for disposal in Scotland, including plans for the Army to vacate Fort George. No consultation took place with the Scottish Government ahead of this announcement, even in the case of Fort George where Scottish Ministers have a direct interest in operation of the site. The scale of the Ministry of Defence’s cuts will have significant economic and social impacts.
As I said in my statement to the Chamber on 9 November, the Scottish Government met Highland Council and other Local Authorities the day after the Defence Basing Announcement to consider local impacts, and I plan to meet with those most affected to discuss next steps.