Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MSP Alasdair Allan has welcomed today’s publication of Professor Lorne Crerar’s report on the Enterprise and Skills review.

A key recommendation in the report is that Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) retains a board of its own.

Professor Crerar is the current chairman of HIE. He was tasked last month with producing an independent report on the principles and potential outline structure of the overarching Strategic Board.

Alasdair Allan MSP commented:

“I very much welcome today’s publication of Prof Crerar’s review.

“The review recommends that a Highlands and Islands advisory board is retained. The minister responsible for the enterprise and skills review, Keith Brown MSP, has indicated he welcomes the report and will be returning to update Parliament once the Scottish Government has had time to consider it.

“I have made representations to the Government about local views on this issue, and the importance of the work HIE does in the Western Isles. The Scottish Government has always been clear that it is completely committed to a locally based HIE, and that the introduction of a national statutory board would in no way diminish the work that it does.”