Last week Stornoway North SNP councillor Gordon Murray called for a report be brought forward to the next Sustainable Development committee on the subject of Research and Development on the islands.
The report should include the current situation of research and development on the islands, the economic case for investing in research and development (citing possible case study of Robert Gordon's University as an example), the fields that would be suitable to the Western Isles – Oil and Gas / renewable energy / aeronautical engineering (spaceport) and a strategic multi-agency approach to further develop research and development in the islands with a view to creating a hub/centre of excellence.
Councillor Murray said "we have a great opportunity to create highly-skilled jobs and to attract more people to this islands and focusing on research and development could bring huge benefits to these islands."
