The claim has been made by Conservative MP for Salisbury, Robert Key, a member of the Government's Defence Committee, who carried out an official visit of the Range in October at the behest of Na h-Eileanan an Iar MP Angus MacNeil.

Mr Key has now called for assurances that there will be no job losses at the Range and will be meeting representatives of QinetiQ on Monday on the issue.

The Conservative MP said he had raised the issue with the Secretary of State for Scotland, Jim Murphy, adding: "After Mr Murphy had rejected QinetiQ's proposals for 'rationalising' the MOD Ranges, he kept saying 'There is no Plan B' . Of course there is a Plan B.

"QinetiQ has no option but to replace some of the old equipment if it is to continue to operate the Ranges - and it must invest in new equipment if it is to attract new customers. Or does the Ministry of Defence really believe they can do without the Hebrides Ranges and this is all a cover to allow QinetiQ to close them down?"
 
Mr Key went on: "The Secretary of State did not answer my question about how confident he is there will be no job losses. In other words, he is not sure about job losses on the Ranges, in which case it is the responsibility of the UK and Scottish Governments to ensure that the Future Jobs Fund is available on the Islands to help create new employment."
 
Added Mr Key: "On Monday next, QinetiQ have asked for a meeting with me. I will meet Mike Howarth, new MD for Managed Services and Rob Little, Senior manager of UK Ranges. I will seek to discover their intentions."
 
MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Angus MacNeil said he had met recently with the management of QinetiQ and they wanted to 'draw a line in the sand' on the issue.
 
"I would hope that Robert Key's assumption of a Plan B is not the case.
 
"Having been forced into the situation on the Range Hebrides issue, the Labour Government had to climb down and say there was no threat to the jobs in Uist . Any Plan B would be emanating from the Labour Ministry of Defence.  I would hope they would not be foolish as to find themselves politically cornered again. Their word should be their bond."
 
He added: "QinetiQ are going to assess the matter and how to move forward, as everybody knows that the Range could be used more effectively and some equipment will need updating and investment. The issue of jobs cannot be on the table after the guarantees we have been given by the MoD."