10:25am Wednesday 1st September 2010
WE are all too well aware that as a result of reckless spending and uncontrolled borrowing by the previous government the finances of this country are in a very perilous state and large savings and substantial cuts have to be made in order to rectify the position. We are led to believe that a lot of these large cuts will fall on our already overstretched and undermanned Armed Forces.
There are several ways in which substantial savings can be made without impairing efficiency.
When country regiments such as those from Wiltshire, Devon and Somerset were amalgamated there was such a public outcry but amalgamisation resulted in the creation of The Rifles of which we can all be very proud. Amalgamisations can be carried even further. Is there really a need for five guards’ regiments? They could well unite to form The Guards. Think of the reduction in running costs this would bring about.
The last time that parachutists were used in action was in 1956 when President Nasser nationalised the Suez Canal. The Paras and the Royal Marine Commando carry out very similar tasks and uniting them should not prove to be too difficult.
The Fleet Air Arm is at its smallest since World War Two. Is there really a need to keep open two large Royal Naval Air Stations at Culdrose in Cornwall and Yeovilton in Somerset. With so few aircraft and helicopters one should suffice.
Much has been written about updating the Trident Missile system but on one has fully explained why this is necessary. The system works perfectly well at present so why change it. A nuclear missile fired from a submarine is still as effective as ever.
The RAF Regiment affectionately known as Rock Apes was formed at the outbreak of World War Two in order to defend our overseas airfields. There are so few of these today that one wonders whether the RAF Regiment is still needed. The Precision Drill Squadron, good as they may be, only acts as a recruiter for the RAF Regiment. If it is to be kept then it could well be incorporated in on or other of the remaining RAF training units.
Is it really necessary to keep RAF Scampton open as it houses only the Red Arrows and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight? To save money both units could be located elsewhere at a considerable saving. Dare I suggest RAF Lyneham?
Of course the three service chiefs will fight hard for their own corner and I only hope that Dr Fox the Defence Secretary is strong enough to stand up to them. Savings which I have suggested would go a long way to aid the Royal Navy in the attempt to keep a worthwhile destroyer and frigate fleet and could even save the fine operational station at Lyneham and I am sure that the patriotic people of Wootton Bassett would say Amen to that.
R W SELWAY
Burden Close
Stratton St Margaret
Swindon
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