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Meeting to be held in bid to save Fort George army base MoD gives 'no answers' over future of Fort George army base
(about 4 hours later)
The future of Fort George as a working army barracks is to be discussed in London later. Political leaders from the Highlands have expressed disappointment after failing to get reassurances about the future of the Fort George army base.
The 250-year-old base, north-east of Inverness, has been looked at as part of a Ministry of Defence (MoD) review, due to report by the end of October. The 250-year-old barracks outside Inverness is among a number of bases at risk of closure as part of a Ministry of Defence review.
Inverness MP Drew Hendry and Highland Council leader Margaret Davidson are scheduled to meet defence minister Mark Lancaster. Highland Council leader Margaret Davidson and MP Drew Hendry met Defence Minister Mark Lancaster in London.
Mr Hendry said: "It is disappointing that we still have no firm answer."
He added: "Following our discussions, the minister can be left in no doubt about the military, social and economic value of Fort George - both to our local economy and to our armed forces.
"We have urged him, yet again, to put an end to this uncertainty and to seriously consider the potentially-damaging impact of this decision on the Highlands."
The Ministry of Defence review is due to report by the end of October.
Following the Westminster meeting, a spokesman for the MoD said: "Every penny made from the sale of sites will be invested back into defence on things like the new maritime aircraft at Lossiemouth or the new ships being built on the Clyde.
"While no final decision about future sites has been made, the government is committed to having an enduring defence presence in Scotland where it continues to invest heavily."
Fort George currently houses soldiers from the Black Watch (3 SCOTS).Fort George currently houses soldiers from the Black Watch (3 SCOTS).
Campaigners claim the closure of Fort George would put 750 jobs at risk and cost the local economy £16m. Campaigners claim the closure of the base would put 750 jobs at risk and cost the local economy £16m.
'Modern defence' Ms Davidson described the meeting with Mr Lancaster as "very worthwhile".
Mr Hendry said it would have a "devastating impact" on the local community. She added: "It gave us an opportunity to clearly articulate a very sound case for maintaining the last army barracks in the Highlands.
Speaking to BBC Scotland, he said: "This has proven to be one of the most efficient army bases in the MoD's portfolio. "I hope that the MoD now understands the importance of Fort George to the Highlands and the wider economic impact of removing the base.
"It's got a fantastic record for doing the kind of things we need in modern defence. "We understand that the review is very long term and I hope that our representations will be taken into account when it comes to making a decision."
"It just makes no sense that after investing £30m in both Fort George and Kinloss over just a few years that they look to close it on financial grounds."
Analysis by BBC Scotland's Westminster correspondent David Porter
Those at the meeting would very much like answers to what is going to happen.
Quite frankly, I don't think that will happen. I don't think the Ministry of Defence and the ministers are going to be that forthcoming.
But they may give an indication of the timescale when all this is going to be announced.
Earlier, Ms Davidson told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland that the move would have a major effect on the region.
"Highlands doesn't have a huge population. We have got 5-600 soldiers on that base at a time. We have got about 50 civilians with associated jobs," she said.
"Highlands and Islands Enterprise have done an economic impact study for us. We'd be losing about £16-17m a year out of the Highland economy. That's a blow."
The council leader added: "But more than that, it's about the effect on the army itself.
"That is the only army base we have now in Highland. It's a visible presence of our forces in the north.
"The north has always been a good recruitment ground for the army and it would certainly weaken their resources."