Dumfriesshire MP David Mundell has expressed his disappointment at the decision by the Ministry of Defence to close a Munitions site in Longtown, North Cumbria.
In a joint letter to Defence Minister Peter Luff MP, Mr Mundell, Rory Stewart MP and John Stevenson MP pointed out that their constituents were likely to be severely affected by the closure of the MOD's Longtown site. Around 300 jobs stand to be lost as a result of the closure, in an area already lacking in investment; the MPs also noted that as a remote and challenging part of the country, the communities around Longtown would be disproportionally affected by such a closure.
Mr Mundell added that the joint Trade Unions in the area have spent the past six years lobbying Secretaries of State and Ministers to maintain a presence in Longtown, which he strongly supports.
The MPs also invited Mr Luff to the Longtown site, emphasising the enormous strategic value of the place.