Comhairle nan Eilean Siar PRESS RELEASE 13 June 2000 For Use: Immediately

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has described the appointments to the HISP monitoring committee as ‘extremely disappointing’.

Speaking today, the Convener, Mr. Alex MacDonald, said:

"It is disappointing that there are no elected representatives from the Western Isles, one of the most fragile areas in the Highlands and Islands and one of the areas most in need of the sort of aid that this programme is aimed at. The Vice-Convener of the Comhairle was our nomination and I can think of no better representative for the Western Isles. However, we assume that membership is on a rotational basis and that the Western Isles will have the representation that the area deserves in future. We are also confident that our colleagues on the Commitee will recognise the particular problems facing the islands and that projects will be judged on their own merits."

Ends

Issued by Nigel Scott
Communications Officer