MCALPINE MEETS MINISTER TO DISCUSS LANGHOLM JOB LOSSES

South of Scotland MSP Joan McAlpine  last week used Parliamentary Questions to ask the Scottish Government what support they could provide for the community in Langholm.

The question came on the back of the announcement that Langholm’s last tweed firm had gone into administration, with the loss of 35 jobs.

Answering on behalf of the Scottish Government, Finance Secretary John Swinney outlined that Scottish Enterprise were working closely with the administrators to help encourage a new business venture and committed to a meeting with Ms McAlpine to discuss the wider implications.  This meeting is scheduled to take place tomorrow (Tuesday).

Commenting, Ms McAlpine said:

“The recent announcement that Reid and Taylor is to close will have a devastating effect on the local community. 

“I was very pleased that John Swinney agreed to meet with me to discuss this issue. 

“I am keen to see what more support the Scottish Government can offer in terms of the wider economy and I will raise this at tomorrow’s meeting.”

Notes to Editors:

The full text of the exchange is available here http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/OfficialReport.aspx