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MP “wrong on claims”                      5/8/14

 

Sir,

 

I note that our cosy Westminster MP has awaken of late to islands’ issues. However I have to accuse Mr MacNeil MP of being rather disingenuous with his comments on the two latest major events/areas of concern.

 

Firstly, and I concur with Donald John MacSween here, in that our MSP and MP did not single-handily saved the rocket range as they claim - Batman and Robin would have had more chance - it was done by the very hard work by a vagary of council and island-based organisations.

 

Similarly, the MP's latest claim that should the country become independent, the range is vital to Scotland's defence is stretching credibility. As his fellow MP, albeit from Labour, has quite rightly stated, irrespective of whom will form the next UK government they are not going to base defence trials, staff and equipment at great expense in a foreign country.

 

Secondly, and I quote: 'Isles MP Angus MacNeil said there was a problem issue with UK employment law when Tupe employment rules - which ensures staff are taken on by winning contractor - do not apply in the Harris case.'

 

Does he really understand what is happening in Harris? There is no winning contractor here, other than the dole queue, to take on the staff. You can be sure the Tupe rules will have been applied but sorry I doubt any of the rural based Tarbert staff would move to Stoke where probably any alternative jobs will have been offered. Just a cheap and ill thought jibe at 'UK.'

 

Perhaps Mr MacNeil would be better approaching the owner of GSH, Mr Scar-Hall, to ask him to change his mind. He after all, apart from being an UK tax exile in Switzerland is a SNP supporter and, unless my memory is really aging,........ a SNP party donor.

 

Paul Blake

16A Lemreway

Pairc,

Isle of Lewis

 

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