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26 January 2011
Last updated at 19:06 ET
Armed Forces Minister Nick Harvey is due to visit Moray over the future of its RAF bases.
The UK government announced in October it was cancelling the next generation of Nimrod aircraft, placing the future of RAF Kinloss in doubt.
There are also concerns for RAF Lossiemouth if it loses its Tornado fleet to RAF Marham.
However, Mr Harvey has said decisions on the air bases could be delayed until the summer.
Mr Harvey had been due to visit Moray in December but the trip was cancelled due to the severe winter weather.
He is due to meet civilians and staff at both bases, as well as representatives of the Moray Task Force, which was set up with the aim of protecting the area's defence jobs.
He said: "We're now working through the details of the strategic defence and security review to establish the basing structure which makes the most military sense for our Armed Forces throughout the UK.
"I am keen to visit both RAF Kinloss and Lossiemouth, to listen to the views of staff and the local community.
"I realise there is much at stake for the people of Moray so it's extremely important that we fully understand their concerns before the RAF and MoD make any decisions."
Summer recess Speaking in a debate in Westminster Hall on the future of RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire on Wednesday, Mr Harvey told MPs they could have to wait several more months before the decisions on which bases would close and which would house troops returning from Germany.
He said: "We can anticipate that decisions will be made and announcements will be made before the summer recess."
It is understood any announcement will be delayed until after the Scottish parliamentary elections on 5 May.
By convention, governments do not make major announcements during election campaigns.
SNP defence spokesman Angus Robertson said there would be shock and astonishment in communities around RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Leuchars over a possible announcement delay, as people were facing a prolonged period of economic uncertainty.
Meanwhile, many people involved in Moray businesses have signed an open letter to Prime Minister David Cameron calling on the government to support the local economy amid the RAF uncertainty.
A copy of the letter will also be given to Mr Harvey.
A petition with more than 30,000 signatures aimed at saving RAF Lossiemouth was delivered to 10 Downing Street earlier this month.
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The UK government announced in October it was cancelling the next generation of Nimrod aircraft, placing the future of RAF Kinloss in doubt.
There are also concerns for RAF Lossiemouth if it loses its Tornado fleet to RAF Marham.
However, Mr Harvey has said decisions on the air bases could be delayed until the summer.
Mr Harvey had been due to visit Moray in December but the trip was cancelled due to the severe winter weather.
He is due to meet civilians and staff at both bases, as well as representatives of the Moray Task Force, which was set up with the aim of protecting the area's defence jobs.
He said: "We're now working through the details of the strategic defence and security review to establish the basing structure which makes the most military sense for our Armed Forces throughout the UK.
"I am keen to visit both RAF Kinloss and Lossiemouth, to listen to the views of staff and the local community.
"I realise there is much at stake for the people of Moray so it's extremely important that we fully understand their concerns before the RAF and MoD make any decisions."
Summer recess Speaking in a debate in Westminster Hall on the future of RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire on Wednesday, Mr Harvey told MPs they could have to wait several more months before the decisions on which bases would close and which would house troops returning from Germany.
He said: "We can anticipate that decisions will be made and announcements will be made before the summer recess."
It is understood any announcement will be delayed until after the Scottish parliamentary elections on 5 May.
By convention, governments do not make major announcements during election campaigns.
SNP defence spokesman Angus Robertson said there would be shock and astonishment in communities around RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Leuchars over a possible announcement delay, as people were facing a prolonged period of economic uncertainty.
Meanwhile, many people involved in Moray businesses have signed an open letter to Prime Minister David Cameron calling on the government to support the local economy amid the RAF uncertainty.
A copy of the letter will also be given to Mr Harvey.
A petition with more than 30,000 signatures aimed at saving RAF Lossiemouth was delivered to 10 Downing Street earlier this month.
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