POLITICIANS have reacted to suggestions that economic development agencies Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Scottish Enterprise could be merged.
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP David Stewart said: ‘The last thing we need is the disappearance of HIE and all the expert knowledge that it contains. I will be seeking an urgent meeting with the secretary for the economy, Keith Brown, to ask exactly what is going on and why MSPs who represent the area have not been briefed.’
A spokesperson for HIE said: ‘The First Minister announced the Enterprise and Skills Review - including the roles of HIE, Scottish Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland and the Scottish Funding Council, in the Scottish Parliament on May 25.