FERGUSSON APPALLED AT POSSIBLE WEST FREUGH CLOSURE
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08 December 2009
FERGUSSON APPALLED AT POSSIBLE WEST FREUGH CLOSURE
Speaking after Qinetiq announced that it was proposing to close the Satellite Ground Station at West Freugh if a buyer cannot be found, Galloway and Upper Nithsdale MSP Alex Fergusson said:-
"I understand that this facility at West Freugh is the only UK National Satellite Ground Station capable of capturing Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data, and that at present it employs a total of fifteen people from within the local community. It has been providing an invaluable service since 1991, and I am appalled at this proposal which simply continues the gradual running down of West Freugh. I cannot believe that Qinetiq are prepared to take steps that would ensure that the specialist skills which can only be found on this site could be lost forever and, although I appreciate that defence matters are the preserve of Westminster, I have written to the Defence Secretary to raise my concerns over this short sighted and purely commercial decision."
ENDS
