Written questions by Lamont.

What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the potential impact of the proposed use of Cameron Barracks to accommodate asylum seekers on army families.

The Home Office and the Ministry of Defence are working closely together to identify appropriate military and non-military sites which can be utilised to meet the Government’s aim of closing all asylum hotels.This includes ensuring that service personnel and their families near to sites considered for this purpose are properly consulted and supported.

Whether his Department has deployed (a) military police and (b) other personnel to Cameron Barracks.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is supporting the Home Office in the generation of additional asylum accommodation to reduce the use of hotels. The MOD takes its duty of care to service families seriously and supporting the families of those who serve is of the utmost importance. A Royal Military Police presence has been temporarily introduced at Cameron Barracks to reassure military personnel and families onsite. No other additional personnel have been deployed alongside this presence.

What steps he is taking to support employment in the defence sector in Scotland.

We are developing the Defence Growth Deal for Scotland which will drive innovation, deliver support to businesses, boost local employment and ensure long-term sustainable growth. Initiatives like the Defence Skills Passport and Destination Defence will make it easier for people in Scotland to access skilled employment in the defence sector.

What steps he is taking to ensure that national security is prioritised in discussions on the future of the Eskdalemuir Seismological Array.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to safeguarding the Eskdalemuir Seismic Array, recognising its critical role in national and global security. MOD officials regularly engage with the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and the Scottish Government to ensure that the Array’s capabilities are not affected by future wind energy deployment in the 50km zone of interest. As a member of the DESNZ-chaired Eskdalemuir Working Group, the MOD continues to advocate for the protection of the Array, with all stakeholders aligned on its importance and the need for its safeguarding.

What (a) discussions and (b) meetings officials in his Department have had with the Eskdalemuir Working Group on the Eskdalemuir Seismological Array.

The Eskdalemuir Working Group (EWG) members include the Ministry of Defence (MOD), the Scottish Government, and representatives from local planning authorities and the wind industry. The EWG meets regularly, with the last meeting taking place on 3 September 2025.

What (a) discussions and (b) meetings officials in his Department have had with Xi Engineering on the Eskdalemuir Seismological Array.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) engages with Xi Engineering through the Eskdalemuir Working Group (EWG), chaired by the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, which includes the MOD, Scottish Government, local planning authorities and the wind industry.