Welcome for islands bill report

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has welcomed the publication of the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Economy Committee's report on a new islands’ bill.

Leader Roddie Mackay called it a “very welcome step forward.”

He said the comhairle campaigned “long and hard” for many of the measures recommended by the committee including ‘Island proofing’ - by which new legislation will have to be considered for its effect on Island communities.

Mr Mackay welcomed the committee recommendation that in the event that an island community is disadvantaged by legislation then there should be a means to revisit that legislation.

He said the move to classified the parliamentary constituency of Na h-Eileanan an Iar to avoid merger with a mainland area is “long overdue” and gives the Western Isles the same protection as Shetland and Orkney.

Welcome for islands bill report

23 January 2018