Comhairle nan Eilean Siar PRESS RELEASE 21 June 2000 For Use: Immediately

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar's Chairman of Transportation, Mr. Norman A. Macdonald, has welcomed the new appointments to the Board of Caledonian MacBrayne announced today.

The Transport Minister Sarah Boyack has announced that Professor Peter Timms and Mr. John Alex Macpherson have been appointed as non-executive Directors of the company.

Speaking in Stornoway, Mr. Macdonald said:

"For some time the Comhairle has made the case for representation from the Western Isles at Board level and I very much welcome Mr. MacPherson's appointment and that of Professor Timms who is also an islander. I am confident that these appointments will ensure that islanders' needs in terms of the service provided by Cal-Mac will be better represented.

I would also pay tribute to the Transport Minister Sarah Boyack and our own MSP Alasdair Morrison for recognising the validity of our case and taking action to improve the representation of the communities Cal-Mac serves."

Ends

Issued by Nigel Scott
Communications Officer