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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Rocket range fate to be announced | Rocket range fate to be announced |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| An announcement on the fate of the MoD firing range in Uist is expected to be made later. | |
| At the weekend, an advert was posted for a project manager to "dismantle" the site, but the MoD said no decision had been made. | At the weekend, an advert was posted for a project manager to "dismantle" the site, but the MoD said no decision had been made. |
| The Western Isles base is operated for the MoD by private contractor QinetiQ. | The Western Isles base is operated for the MoD by private contractor QinetiQ. |
| A proposal to modernise the facility with the loss of 125 jobs has been accepted in principle by the MoD and put out to consultation. | A proposal to modernise the facility with the loss of 125 jobs has been accepted in principle by the MoD and put out to consultation. |
| Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy held talks with Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth on Monday and is due to fly to Uist to meet staff at the range. | Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy held talks with Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth on Monday and is due to fly to Uist to meet staff at the range. |
| Remote operation | Remote operation |
| The job advert - which has been posted internally on QinetiQ's website - was met with an angry reaction from Western Isles MSP Alasdair Allan on Monday. | The job advert - which has been posted internally on QinetiQ's website - was met with an angry reaction from Western Isles MSP Alasdair Allan on Monday. |
| The SNP MSP pledged to seek answers at Holyrood, and said: "It is very difficult to read this job advert any other way: QinetiQ, it seems, are looking for someone who will oversee the dismantling of the command and control functions at Hebrides Range, leading to the operation of much of its activities by remote control from Aberporth in Wales. | The SNP MSP pledged to seek answers at Holyrood, and said: "It is very difficult to read this job advert any other way: QinetiQ, it seems, are looking for someone who will oversee the dismantling of the command and control functions at Hebrides Range, leading to the operation of much of its activities by remote control from Aberporth in Wales. |
| Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy is expected to brief staff on Tuesday | Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy is expected to brief staff on Tuesday |
| "How does that square with all the protestations from QinetiQ, the MoD and the Secretary of State for Scotland that they are genuinely listening?" | "How does that square with all the protestations from QinetiQ, the MoD and the Secretary of State for Scotland that they are genuinely listening?" |
| The proposed modernisation of the range would see 125 of 215 jobs cut as a result of the radar station on Hirta in St Kilda being operated remotely, with staff only visiting for maintenance and servicing. | The proposed modernisation of the range would see 125 of 215 jobs cut as a result of the radar station on Hirta in St Kilda being operated remotely, with staff only visiting for maintenance and servicing. |
| The command and control centre on South Uist has been earmarked for closure by 2014. Rocket trials would run instead from Aberporth in Wales using new technology. | The command and control centre on South Uist has been earmarked for closure by 2014. Rocket trials would run instead from Aberporth in Wales using new technology. |
| West Camp - an army base at Balivanich, Benbecula - would remain open but one accommodation block would close, reducing the need for domestic staff. | West Camp - an army base at Balivanich, Benbecula - would remain open but one accommodation block would close, reducing the need for domestic staff. |
| The camp is linked to training on the Rapier air defence missile system which is used by the Royal Artillery and RAF. | The camp is linked to training on the Rapier air defence missile system which is used by the Royal Artillery and RAF. |
| On Monday an MoD spokeswoman said no decision had been made on the base's future, but that an announcement would likely be made within the next week. | On Monday an MoD spokeswoman said no decision had been made on the base's future, but that an announcement would likely be made within the next week. |