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Scottish independence: Defence budget post-Yes to be £2.5bn, minister Brown says Scottish independence: Defence budget post-Yes to be £2.5bn, minister Brown says
(35 minutes later)
Scottish minister Keith Brown tells a committee of MPs that the budget for defence in the event of a yes to independence would be £2.5bn per year.Scottish minister Keith Brown tells a committee of MPs that the budget for defence in the event of a yes to independence would be £2.5bn per year.
The SNP politician revealed the figure in evidence to the House of Commons Defence Select Committee.The SNP politician revealed the figure in evidence to the House of Commons Defence Select Committee.
Electors in Scotland will vote in an independence referendum on 18 September, 2014.Electors in Scotland will vote in an independence referendum on 18 September, 2014.
They will be asked the simple yes/no question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"They will be asked the simple yes/no question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"
The Veterans' Minister urged UK ministers to enter into discussions now on defence matter. However, he said that would not be the equivalent of pre-independence negotiations.The Veterans' Minister urged UK ministers to enter into discussions now on defence matter. However, he said that would not be the equivalent of pre-independence negotiations.
Mr Brown told the committee that after independence there would be "early, safe removal" of Trident from its current base at Faslane on the Clyde.Mr Brown told the committee that after independence there would be "early, safe removal" of Trident from its current base at Faslane on the Clyde.
In a BBC Scotland news webcast this week, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it might take up to two years before Scotland could be rid of the nuclear weapons.In a BBC Scotland news webcast this week, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it might take up to two years before Scotland could be rid of the nuclear weapons.
She made clear in the interview that removing Trident from Scotland was a matter of principle for the SNP.She made clear in the interview that removing Trident from Scotland was a matter of principle for the SNP.
Mr Brown informed the committee that a newly-independent Scotland would want a proportionate slice of the £92bn in defence assets which the UK has.Mr Brown informed the committee that a newly-independent Scotland would want a proportionate slice of the £92bn in defence assets which the UK has.
He mentioned that some commentators had identified that Trident itself was an asset.He mentioned that some commentators had identified that Trident itself was an asset.
The Holyrood minister told the MPs that a new Scottish defence force would total about 15,000 personnel.The Holyrood minister told the MPs that a new Scottish defence force would total about 15,000 personnel.
He added that an attractive offer could be made to new recruits resulting in the figure being achieved post-Yes.He added that an attractive offer could be made to new recruits resulting in the figure being achieved post-Yes.
Mr Brown was asked how close to the border a Scottish army would patrol.Mr Brown was asked how close to the border a Scottish army would patrol.
In response, he said: "We will not be amassing an army on the border - that won't be necessary."In response, he said: "We will not be amassing an army on the border - that won't be necessary."
Mr Brown was grilled about detail by Labour MP for Dunfermline and West Fife.
When asked about specific figures, Mr Brown said the information he could give was currently limited ahead of a white paper on independence which would come before the Scottish Parliament "in the autumn".
He believed it was right that the people of Scotland should hear the details first.