Holyrood's Rural Development Committee to meet on Western Isles

Islanders will have the opportunity to air their views on the future of crofting next week when the Scottish Parliament's Environment and Rural Development Committee meets in Stornoway.

The committee will meet at 2pm on Monday in the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Chamber.

Among those giving evidence will be representatives of the Scottish Crofting Foundation, Hebridean Housing Partnership, the Comhairle, crofters, estates and community groups.

There will be a break from the formal agenda in the middle of the meeting to allow those in the public gallery to make contributions and or comments on the Bill.

Committee Convener, Sarah Boyack MSP, said: "The committee is aware of the importance of crofting to many parts of Scotland, and the role it plays in sustaining populations and cultural and community life, as well as its agricultural, environmental and economic importance.

"The views of experts, individual crofters and interested organisations on the impact the proposed Bill will have on communities are vital to our work in scrutinising the Bill.”

The first in this series of sessions was held in Edinburgh today (19 April). Further meetings will be held on:

• Wednesday 3 May in Edinburgh.
• Monday 8 May in The Corran Halls, Oban.
• Monday 15 May in Highlands and Islands Enterprise Headquarters, Cowan House, Inverness.
  

Background Notes

Access Arrangements

• Members of the media are welcome to attend Committee meetings and those without Parliamentary accreditation should contact the Media Relations Office to organise a pass – details at the end of this release.
• Press photographers and TV cameras should contact the Media Relations Office in advance to request access.
• Members of the public will be able to book seats in the public gallery. Seats in the public gallery are open to all on a first-come-first-served basis. To apply for tickets contact Scottish Parliament Visitor Services on 0131-348-5200 or email sp.bookings@scottish.parliament.uk
  The committee will take evidence in Stornoway from:

Panel 1

Neil Macleod, Director and Steve McCombe, Harris Area Representative, Scottish Crofting Foundation;
Kevin Kennedy, crofter, South Lochs;
Simon Fraser, Solicitor, Anderson MacArthur & Co., Stornoway;

Panel 2

Iain Maciver, Factor, Stornoway Trust;
Murdo Morrison, North Harris Trust;
Donald Macdonald, Chair, Pairc Trust;
Angus Macmillan, Chairman, South Uist Community Company;

Panel 3

South Lewis & Harris Rural Community Housing Pilot Group;
Angus Lamont, Director, Hebridean Housing Partnership;

Panel 4

Murdo Mackay, Economic Development Officer, Crofting & Land Resources, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar;
Donnie Macaulay, Chief Executive, Western Isles Enterprise; and
John Price, Development Director, Lewis Wind Power Limited.

The bill is available on the Parliament's website at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/bills/billsInProgress/index.htm

The bill was introduced to the Parliament on 2 March 2006. The Environment and Rural Development Committee has been designated as lead committee for Stage 1 scrutiny. At Stage 1 a subject committee examines the general principles of a bill and recommends to the Parliament whether the general principles should be agreed to.

As part of this process, a committee usually takes written and oral evidence from interested parties. The committee will take oral evidence at a series of meetings from 19 April until mid- May.

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The Parliament's media contact is:

Elaine Mitchell: 0131 348 6245
RNID TypeTalk calls welcome
email: elaine.mitchell@scottish.parliament.uk

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Environment and Rural Development Committee contact information

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For public information enquiries, contact: 0131 348 5000 or 0845 278 1999 (local call rate)
Text phone: 0845 270 0152 RNID Typetalk calls welcome
email: sp.info@scottish.parliament.uk

Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk