David McLetchie: "Efficiency and morale"

The Tory motion to be debated during members' business time warned the proposed cuts could affect both the regular army and the Territorial Army.

It said the cuts would "undermine the efficiency and morale of British armed forces".

And it insisted the move could "damage our military capability and threaten the future of Scotland's historic frontline regiments".

Scots Tory leader David McLetchie said: "Spending on the armed forces is now at the lowest percentage of GDP since the 1930s."

Loud and clear

He said that was "an unacceptable state of affairs that must be addressed before further damage is done to our military capacity".

Mr McLetchie added: "This is the message that will ring out loud and clear during the members' debate on May 31.

"I look forward to receiving support from all parties on this issue to ensure the UK Government is left in little doubt about how important these issues are to people throughout Scotland and the rest of the UK."

The SNP said the issue showed why it was vital the party had a strong voice at Westminster.

The party's defence spokesman Colin Campbell said: "There has always been a strong traditional geographical link between regiments and communities in Scotland, and it is vital to both morale and recruitment that this continues.

Business motion

"That is why it is vital that we have a strong SNP voice at Westminster to defend the interests of Scotland instead of the interests of London Labour.

"Only the SNP stands for Scotland and only the SNP stands for Scotland's regiments."

"I have tabled an amendment to a Members' Business Motion today on this matter which will be debated in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday May 31."

The army in Scotland has firmly denied that there are any plans to axe or merge any of the Scottish regiments.