McConnell speaks about job losses

Jack McConnell said alternative work will be offered

First Minister Jack McConnell has said he was disappointed by an electronics firm's decision to axe more than 400 Scottish jobs.

Job losses at US based Solectron's Dunfermline plant are among 1,400 being cut across America and Europe.

Local MSP Scott Barrie raised the issue with Mr McConnell during First Minister's Questions at the Parliament.

The backbench MSP for Dunfermline West was told by Mr McConnell the workers would be offered alternative work.

I think we would all wish that the owners and the management of this company would have taken more account of the skills here in Scotland Jack McConnell First Minister

Mr Barrie asked: "Where does the first minister believe this leaves the micro-electronics industry in Scotland?

"And what assistance will be available to my constituents and others to ensure that we are able to sustain a high quality presence in this sector?"

Mr McConnell told him: "We're all disappointed in the decision that has been announced.

"I think we would all wish that the owners and the management of this company would have taken more account of the skills here in Scotland and looked to continue some operations here."

Solectron is a US-based company

But he added it was important to look to the future and said those affected would get help in securing alternative work.

Mr McConnell said: "We recognise the need to move on in our economy.

"The electronics sector played a very important role in the late 80s and into the 1990s, in providing a bridge from Scotland's industrial past to the modern economy we have today."

He stressed in today's competitive marketplace it was important that Scotland could compete with both the low wage economies and also with those countries that were increasing their investment in skills and education.

He said: "All of our companies in the electronics sector and elsewhere have to be able to ensure that they can compete with not only low value, low wage economies elsewhere in the world but those that are increasing in their skills and education provision as well."