HC Deb 10 April 1984 vol 58 cc178-9W
Mr. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the report of the Montgomery committee of inquiry into the functions and powers of the islands councils of Scotland will be published.

Mr. Younger

The report was presented to Parliament yesterday and is published today.

I take this opportunity to thank Sir David Montgomery and the other members of the committee for the time and labour they have devoted to their inquiries and to the preparation of the report, which provides a useful basis for consideration of the many issues affecting local government in the islands.

I am now giving detailed consideration to the report's many recommendations. I shall invite the views of the islands councils, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the Highlands and Islands Development Board on the report as a whole, and the views of other organisations with interests in individual recommendations. In addition, any person or organisation wishing to offer comments on the report should submit them as soon as possible, and in any case no later than 31 July 1984, to the Scottish Development Department, Room 4/89, New St. Andrew's house, Edinburgh EH1 3SZ.