"The British Army is the finest orginisation in the world."
11(b) The Negotiations.
The split of defence assets was always likely to be one of the more controversial subjects in the negotiations. How the UK armed forces were to be disentangled was to be not only a political question, but a question of nuclear law. For the Scots, the main question would be whether there should be an independent Scottish Defence Force. For the United Kingdom as a whole the question would be over how to reconstitute the UK Armed forces under two sovereign authorities.
The starting point of this stage of the negotiations was to be Scottish contribution to the UK armed forces, including questions such as ; What is located in Scotland? What do the individual regiments do(the Signals, REME etc.)? What would it take to disentangle Scottish contributions?
The MOD released data suggesting theree were 6,000 direct defence jobs located within Scotland. In the Army, there were 12,000 Scots as opposed to 96,000 non-Scots, in the RAF, 5,600 as opposed to 49,000 non-Scots(1). There was a similar ratio in the RN. How they would be disentangled was a major question.
Following two days of intensive negotiations, it was agreed that the Royal Regiment of Scotland should be transferred to any Scottish Defence Force. Three RAF Squadrons, to serve RAF Leuchars, Lossiemouth and Kinloss. It was agreed that Scottish personel in non-regional specific regiments should be given the choice of Scottish or UK service.
With regards to the Royal Navy, it was agreed that Scotland should get two of the Type 23 Frigates, one hunter class mine counter measeure vessel and two Archer fast patrol boats.(2)
This led onto the issue of the RN base at Faslane on the Clyde. It was a major commitment of the SNP to get nuclear weapons out of the Clyde. For them this was non-negotiable. Following intensive discussions, it was agreed that the UK nuclear submarines would be removed, but in a phased withdrawal over seven years, during which time the UK Government would pay an Independent Scotland for use of the base on Scottish territory.(3)
(1) Actual MOD Figures for the late 90's. I do not have up to dat info.
(2)Sorry, no Scottish Aircraft Carriers.

(3)This is the only feasible solution I can see which will work.