Figures challenged

Sir, I see that Argyll and Bute Council’s website has a press release claiming credit for a population increase of 240.

It has been suggested that the 15 families of Syrian refugees taken in on Bute may account for most of that number. The MOD has claimed that having seven submarines in service at Faslane will bring thousands of new personnel and a great boost to the economy.

Almost half are in service already and after years of population reductions there was an increase of 240 last year.

Some of these sailors may have moved home and be counted among the population but most are more likely in service accommodation inside the base and travelling home to their permanent abode elsewhere.

They should not be counted as a benefit to Argyll and Bute.

The truth is that there is an on-going and persistent problem of an ageing population. Many indigenous young people have to move and take accommodation elsewhere to find decent employment which continues the shrinkage of the working age population.

Let’s not any longer listen to or believe exaggerated stories about the enormous benefits to Argyll and Bute from the base in Faslane.

The numbers of locals employed within the base is regularly shrinking; it is now a fraction of what it was 10 of 15 years ago and the contractors that run it are seeking to reduce the numbers still further.

The navy no longer moves large numbers to the area but prefers to increase the internal accommodation and have the sailors live there Monday to Friday and travel home at weekends.