§ Mr. Michael Moore (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD)The future of the King's Own Scottish Borderers and the Royal Scots is a cause of real concern to people in the borders. Along with my hon. Friend the Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Sir Archy Kirkwood) and my right hon. Friend the Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith), I have met the Secretary of State for Defence on two occasions to argue for the continuation of these regiments. The strength of feeling in our constituencies is illustrated by the enthusiasm with which people have signed the petition, which reads:
The petition of the constituents of Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale, the constituents of Roxburgh and Berwickshire and other concerned individualsDeclares that the doubts about the future of the King's Own Scottish Borderers regiment following the announcement on defence spending by the Secretary of State on Wednesday 21 July 2004 are causing growing concern in south-east Scotland. The Petitioners highlight the proud military traditions of the King's Own Scottish Borderers, the regiment's successful contributions to historic and recent military conflicts and peace-keeping missions around the world and its strong ties with the communities of the Scottish Borders in particular.The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge Her Majesty's government to reconsider proposals which would reduce the number of Scottish battalions, to make provision for the retention of all of the Scottish regiments, and in particular to reject any plan to disband or amalgamate the King's Own Scottish Borderers.And the Petitioners remain, etc.To lie upon the Table.