Gosport
MP, Peter Viggers, has today asked the Leader of the House
of Commons, Jack Straw, for an early debate on the MoD
review of Britain’s naval bases.
Peter
asked Mr Straw to consider allowing an urgent debate as
the review, launched by Defence Secretary, Des Browne,
had caused intense controversy in our region.
Peter
said, “The recent University
of Portsmouth study showed that 17,000 naval and civilian
jobs are directly linked to the Portsmouth Naval Base,
with 38,000 jobs in the region being dependent upon the
maritime defence sector as a whole – a sector worth £500m
to the south east economy.
“Portsmouth is the leading
naval base and our region is home to much of the Navy’s
surface fleet, in addition to training and other establishments.
A large proportion of naval families are resident in the
area, close to their ships. If ships are moved to other
bases, then stability for these families will be lost;
servicemen and women would face a choice of selling up
and moving away from the area, or having to commute long
distances at weekends – leading to increased pressure
on family relationships.
“The naval base is at the
heart of our region, as The News’ excellent ‘Hands
Off Our Base’ campaign has shown and we need this
urgent debate in Parliament to help secure its future.” |
