The Big Q is sending 700 Scottish workers - around 22 per cent of its 3100-strong workforce in Scotland - straight to the dole Q.

The job cuts, to be made at Compaq's Erskine, Renfrewshire plant, are the latest in the company's programme to cut its worldwide headcount by a little over seven per cent - around 5000 out of 67,000 - to save the company over $600 million in operating expenses.

One component of the restructure is a plan to outsource desktop PC production, which is why the Erskine headcount is being cut. The site will continue to operate, however, as the home of server production and build-to-order construction.

Compaq's other Scottish site, at Ayr, is apparently safe from the cost-cutting programme. ®