Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Press Release
9th July 2009
Hebrides Range Task Force
Task Force In Talks With Scottish Secretary
The Hebrides Range Task Force met with the Secretary of State for Scotland, Mr Jim Murphy, today in Benbecula to hold further discussions regarding the Ministry of Defence proposals for the area which could result in the loss of 125 defence related jobs.
Chair of the Task Force, Mr Angus Campbell, said: “The Scottish Secretary is well aware of the consequences of the current proposals for the future of the Range. He remains open minded about other alternative options and committed to maintaining dialogue with the Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Quentin Davies who has given a commitment to visit the Uists before the end of the consultation period. Mr Murphy also stated that one of the options at the end of the consultation period would be to defer the matter to allow further consideration of alternative options. In the meantime the Task Force emphasised that it is vital that we have access to the fullest information to allow us and the teams we have commissioned to prepare a robust response to the MoD’s proposals.”
Mr Murphy is now on Lewis and will hold a public forum event at the Bridge Centre in Stornoway at 5.30pm.
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Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Tel: 01851 822622 (Work)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk
Ruairidh Maciver
Communications Assistant
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Tel: 01851 822615 (Work)
Tel: 07881 774601 (Mobile)
email: ruairidh.maciver@cne-siar.gov.uk
