Sixteen new jobs have been created in Dumfries

The relocation of the National Health Service Central Register has brought with it 16 jobs.

The Deputy Public Service Reform Minister, Tavish Scott, said the move was a welcome boost for the area.

However, local politicians, including the SNP's Alasdair Morgan, have claimed that the region has been short-changed by the executive's dispersal programme.

Some 1,400 jobs have been moved out of Edinburgh so far, but these are the first to go to the Dumfries and Galloway area.

'Important jobs boost'

Mr Scott said: "This relocation has helped spread the benefits of public sector jobs in Scotland and given Dumfries a real boost by utilising the skills and talent of local people to deliver this key service.

"Thirteen of the 16-strong unit have been recruited in Dumfries and one further member will be recruited next year.

"So this has already been an important jobs boost for the town."

Mr Scott said that to avoid disrupting the service to NHS clients, the Dumfries office would progressively take over the work of the unit until March 2006, when the Edinburgh base will close.

Tavish Scott said it was important to bring devolved government to the people

He added: "Bringing the devolved government of Scotland closer to the people remains one of our key ambitions, and relocating public sector jobs is one way to achieve this."

Dumfries had high hopes of securing the Scottish Natural Heritage jobs, which controversially went to Inverness.

The Highland capital was then chosen as the new headquarters for the Forestry Commission.

Dumfries was also a contender and the decision prompted MSPs from the south west to complain in parliament.

The National Health Service Central Register is described as a "small but vital unit" which manages the NHS patient register.