Jamie McGrigor, Highlands & Islands Conservative MSP, yesterday emphasised the importance to the Highlands & Islands of EU structural funds which had helped build important infrastructure projects in his region. Jamie was speaking during a debate in the Scottish Parliament on how the Parliament and its Committees engage with the European Union.
Jamie referred to the Bernera and Eriskay causeways, and to the Scalpay bridge in the Western Isles. During the debate, Jamie was commended by the Convener of the Holyrood’s European & External Relations Committee, Christina McKelvie MSP, for consistently raising at the Committee the interests of Scotland’s farmers, crofters, and fishermen.
Speaking after the debate, Jamie, who previously discussed structural funds with the European Union Commissioner for Regional Policy, Mr Johannes Hahn, when the Commissioner visited the Scottish Parliament last year, said:
“Transport infrastructure projects like the Bernera and Eriskay causeways and the Scalpay bridge have been extremely important to the economies of these fragile communities. I will continue to raise the issue of ensuring EU funding is spent to maximum benefit in my region at every opportunity. EU support funding is, of course, also crucial for the primary industries of farming, fishing, and crofting in the Highlands & Islands”.