Salmond: I'll battle to save jobs at Scots plant facing closure

Workers at Freescale in East Kilbride were told at a meeting last week that the company is seeking a buyer - throwing its long-term future into uncertainty.

If no buyer is found the plant will close, employees were warned.

The firm, which makes chips for products such as cars and mobile phones, currently employs 1250 people.

If the plant does close, it is likely that Freescale will keep its research and development division in East Kilbride, retaining around 300 people.

Labour MSP Andy Kerr and MP Adam Ingram have demanded an "urgent" meeting with bosses to discuss the jobs, and say the workers have a right to know their fate.

Mr Kerr said he had already received a number of emails from concerned workers.

Earlier this year, Freescale accepted a £3million government subsidy to help safeguard 250 manufacturing jobs. No cash has yet been paid to the firm.

Mr Salmond insisted he was working behind the scenes to save the jobs and said there was still a chance that production would continue at the plant.

He added: "It's far too early to write this company off.

"My officials are helping the company with their strategic plans and we're doing everything possible to retain and protect the jobs in Scotland." Mr Ingram, MP for East Kilbride, said he was willing to travel to Texas to speak to owners about the plant's future.

He also wanted to know whether Freescale already had plans to shut the East Kilbride site when it accepted the £3million Regional Selective Assistance award.

The money was supposed to be used to expand into the production of integrated circuits.

"Did they notify fully at the time of application?" he asked.

And he added: "These companies have got to behave openly and honestly.

"They can't just treat people in a cavalier way."

Industry experts say the chance of finding a buyer for the plant is slim, as more and more electronics companies are moving production to cheaper locations such as Eastern Europe and Asia.