Fishermen are to be given a chance to express their views on the expansion of a submarine testing range off the west coast of Scotland.
Minister for Defence Equipment Philip Dunne revealed that consultation is due to begin in the summer regarding bye-laws for the Raasay ranges.
And he dismissed “unfounded speculation” that the MoD and defence technology company QinetiQ had, without consultation, doubled the size of the protected areas within the ranges.
While the response was welcomed by SNP MSPs in the far north, they still accused the UK Government of being happy to “ride roughshod” over local fishing interests.
Last month it emerged that the future of the British Underwater Test and Evaluation Centre (Butec), which tests submarine weapons systems underwater at sites off Kyle and in the Sound of Raasay, had been assured with a £22million investment.
The announcement sparked fears that local fishermen would be excluded when the size of the range is extended.
In a letter to the Scottish Government, the Scottish Secretary and Highland politicians, Mr Dunne said the MoD must be able to protect its equipment in the Butec waters if the ranges are to have a meaningful future.
“This does not mean that there cannot be a negotiated agreement with the fishermen that might permit controlled creel or dive fishing in part of the area,” he said.
Highland Liberal Democrat MP Charles Kennedy said Mr Dunne confirmed in a meeting that the 20sq kms (7.7sq miles) acoustic signature range off Rona will be abolished opening it up completely to fishing.
The 82sq kms (31.6sq miles) BUTEC range of Applecross will be extended to 110sq kms (42.5sq miles) with future closure periods covered by bye-laws.
Mr Kennedy said: “This process can now be approached and the consultation conducted in a calm and measured fashion.
“That is the best way to proceed to secure an outcome which recognises and seeks to accommodate so far as is possible both local commercial interests and the ongoing viability for at least another 13 years of the Butec facility itself.”
It also emerged that Scottish Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead has written to the MoD stressing the need of them to take full account of their proposals on local fishing communities and for the Scottish Government to be “formally involved” in consultations on marine defence developments.