Defence and security industries are valuable assets for Scotland

I NOTE Tom Gordon’s article on an ADS Group reception at Holyrood (“Davidson criticised for hosting MSPs arms trade event at Holyrood”, The Herald, December 10). It may be useful to clarify the purpose of the event, which was to celebrate the contribution apprentices make to the Scottish economy and to thank the apprentices in attendance for choosing a career in science, technology and engineering. The industries represented by ADS – aerospace, defence, security and space – provide high-skill, high-value employment; however they are reliant on the next generation of innovators, designers, engineers and technicians to enable Scottish businesses to grow and compete in global markets.

By Scottish Enterprise’s own data, 36,250 people are pursuing a career in the Scottish aerospace, defence, security and maritime industries and the 744 companies that employ them are contributing £2.2 billion to Scotland’s economy while paying 41 per cent more than the national average salary. The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work, Keith Brown, made the welcome point that that this is worth supporting and growing, underlining his support by attending the event with Ruth Davidson and others.

I am delighted that some of Scotland’s brightest and best are choosing apprenticeships in our industries and that MSPs joined with us to thank them. Paul Everitt, Chief executive, ADS, Salamanca Square, 9 Albert Embankment, London.