UIST DEFENCE JOBS RAISED AT FIRST MINISTER'S QUESTIONS.

UIST DEFENCE JOBS RAISED AT FIRST MINISTER'S QUESTIONS.

Western Isles SNP MSP, Alasdair Allan has raised the future of 125 defence jobs in Uist at First Minister's Question time today at Hoyrood.

This follows major job losses announced yesterday at the QinetiQ Hebrides range in Uist.

Dr Allan asked First Minister Alex Salmond:

“The First Minister will be aware of the devastating affect on my constituents of yesterdays announcement by the MOD that more than 120 people working at QinetiQ, the MoD's contractors in Uist, will be losing their jobs. What representations will the Scottish Government be making to the UK Government about this body blow by UK ministers to an already fragile island economy, and what action will be taken in Scotland to address the needs of the people most directly affected?"

The First Minister answered firstly by criticising as disgraceful a number of Labour MSPS who felt the need to heckle whilst such a serious subject was being spoken about in the parliament chamber.

The First Minister said that he would be in touch with the UK Government personally to call for them to reconsider their decision and to complain about the way in which the workforce and the people of Uist had been treated.

The First Minister also mentioned that Enterprise Minister, Jim Mather, has already set about establishing a taskforce to consider ways in which the community can be assisted following this announcement. Welcoming the First Minister's response Dr Allan said; "This is a welcome commitment to support the people of Uist. The First Minister is right to say that it appears the UK Government is abandoning the islands. In contrast the Scottish Government has moved swiftly to support the community and efforts to reverse the decision and I welcome this early action." Angus MacNeil MP, who was visiting the Scottish Parliament today, commented: "As MSP and MP we will work with everyone to oppose these unjustified cuts in Uist. A number of Labour backbenchers would do well to think about how badly their heckling today will play in the islands. I welcome the strong line which the Scottish Government are taking to back the community on this issue. "