Comhairle nan Eilean Siar PRESS RELEASE 28 August 2001 For Use: Immediately

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QinetiQ Meeting

Over recent months, the Uist business community has raised concerns about possible competition from a new company, working under licence from the M.O.D., directing operations at the Hebrides Range based in Uist.

QinetiQ Hebrides took over operations from DERA on 1 July 2001 and they work in partnership with another private company SERCo who are responsible for delivery of services on the Range.

Fears expressed by local businesses centred on possible competition in areas such as visitors' accommodation, transportation, catering and vehicle maintenance. Views were obtained from local businesses and members of the public at a meeting held at the Creagorry Hotel on 26 June, chaired by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Member Mrs. Mairi Bremner.

A further meeting took place at the Comhairle offices in Balivanich on Thursday 23 August, this time involving local councillors, representatives of local businesses and representatives from QinetiQ/SERCo Operations who were given the opportunity to respond to the views put forward by the local business community and the perceived threat to some of those businesses if QinetiQ were to compete in areas outwith their normal core activities connected with the Range

Mr. Murdo MacDonald, Range Manager, representing QinetiQ, emphasised to those present that while they were looking to attract more business to the Range and their organisation, they remained core business led and would largely continue where DERA left off. QinetiQ valued their relationship with an extensive range of local businesses to which the Range operations made a significant annual contribution. Mr. MacDonald went on to explain that, while QinetiQ would consider competing for any business that was seen to be potentially useful to secure a viable future for the range in Uist, they would certainly not be going out to displace or undermine existing local businesses.

At the conclusion of the meeting representatives of local business and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar noted Mr. MacDonald's assurances given to all those concerned for the future economic wellbeing of the Islands.

Ends

Issued by Nigel Scott
Communications Officer

Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 01851 706412 (Home)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk