Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, with reference to the Prime Minister’s announcement of 28 July 2019 on City Region and Growth deals, what information has been made available to(a) Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, (b) Orkney Islands Council and (c) Shetland Islands Council on a deal for the Islands.

My officials continue to engage with the Islands partners and most recently met with the Islands Deal Programme Director on 2 August and 4 September to discuss next steps.

Officials also spoke with the Leader of Orkney Islands Council on 27 August.

We expect to receive the latest suite of proposals from the Islands partners later this month.