Westminster discussions about the threatened future of two north military bases have been delayed.
Campaigners for the Fort George and the Kinloss Army Barracks had hoped their potential closure would be addressed by the UK Government as a matter of priority when parliament resumed yesterday.
Highland MP, Drew Hendry, has tabled an urgent question to defence secretary, Michael Fallon, asking him about the level of consultation which has gone into deciding which bases should be shut.
But the matter was left off the agenda yesterday, while ministers strove to deal with a slew of issues that had arisen during the summer recess.
It is understood the matter may be raised this week, on a less busy day.
But it has also emerged that both Kinloss Army Barracks and Fort George are among sites the Ministry of Defence are considering axing to save millions of pounds.
Last week, concerns over the bases grew when Scottish Secretary David Mundell said it was “highly likely” some facilities in this country would “be disposed of”.
Moray MP Angus Robertson, who has written to Prime Minister Theresa May to ask her to rule out the closure of the Kinloss Barracks, said he was “disappointed” the matter was not given priority.
But he vowed to press Government ministers for answers on the controversial issue.
Mr Robertson added: “It’s obviously disappointing this question was not taken, but there will be other opportunities to raise it in the coming days and try and get a definitive answer from the government.”