MPs 'will fight to save Devonport'

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Plymouth MPs have said they will fight to keep Devonport naval base open following rumours about its planned closure as part of the Strategic Defence and Security Review.

A story published in The Sunday Times suggested that Royal Navy chief Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope had put forward the closure of Devonport as part of a package of measures designed to preserve ship numbers.

However, South West Devon MP Gary Streeter has reportedly been told that ministers are not considering closing the base.

"Everything is on the table in this review but I'm very confident indeed that Devonport Naval Base will remain open," he told Plymouth newspaper The Herald.

"We have certainly been assured behind the scenes that Devonport has a future," he said. "It would be absolutely unacceptable for a decision to be made to the contrary."

Plymouth Sutton and Devonport MP Oliver Colvile told the newspaper: "There has been a lot of speculation regarding the review which, frankly, is simply creating problems.

"David Cameron has given a commitment to retain all three naval bases, and I can assure you I will fight for Devonport.

"This is all pure conjecture, but we've got to make a very strong case for Plymouth. We know the defence budget is tight and I'm taking nothing for granted - but you can bet your bottom dollar I'll be standing up for Plymouth."

Alison Seabeck, MP for Plymouth Moor View, also backed the base, saying that the speed at which negotiations in the SDSR were apparently taking place could cause problems at a later date. "I'm not sure we won't see some problems relating to its haste," she said.

"The MoD is looking to get money and I can't see why they would close Plymouth over Portsmouth. We can take everything Portsmouth's got and still cope."