QinetiQ jo losses bad for islanders - Jean Davis (BANFFSHIRE and BUCHAN COAST Liberal Democrats)

BANFFSHIRE and BUCHAN COAST Liberal Democrats <info@banffandbuchanlibdems.org.uk>

QinetiQ jo losses bad for islanders - Jean Davis

June 18, 2009 3:25 PM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

The QinetiQ announcement of 125 job losses today is of great concern to all islanders particularly in Uist and Benbecula and could also have serious implications for the future of the world heritage site of St Kilda and the proposed heritage centre.

Jean David said:

'It is a black day for the people of these islands particularly those who are directly employed or whose businesses are relying on the presence of QinetiQ. My heart goes out to them.'

'On such a day is it reasonable for our SNP Parliamentarians to blame the Government for this situation? Calls for debates in the Parliaments today are all very well but what have they been doing over the past few months and years. Local representatives have a duty to represent their local constituents and this means working alongside major employers, advocating the benefits of the constituency and influencing decisions taken. This work should a major ongoing part of the work of a constituency MP or MSP.'

'I welcome the efforts of HIE, CNES and Storas Uibhist to attempt to reverse this decision and hope that our elected representatives will now roll up their sleeves to work alongside them rather than grandstanding in the face of a potential tragedy.'

'Finally answer me this - would QinetiQ and particularly any future UK government be likely to support any defence capability in a small group of islands on the edge of an independent Scotland for which they have no defence responsibility? On second thoughts don't answer me, direct your answers to the voters, particularly those of Uist and Benbecula.'