Part of the debate – in the Scottish Parliament at 2:38 pm on 26 September 2007.
The minister said that careful consideration was given to the new structure and that he wants a cohesive service to maintain consistency. Will the minister tell me how that claim squares with what is going to happen to business gateway services in my constituency of Strathkelvin and Bearsden? Far from the open-door policy praised by Mr Neil, I have a closed-door policy because, under the proposals, both offices, in Bearsden and Kirkintilloch, will be closed. Kirkintilloch was the busiest and most successful office.
Scottish Enterprise Dunbartonshire covers three local council areas. How many staff from SE Dunbartonshire will transfer to East Dunbartonshire Council? What steps will the minister take to ensure that there will be a fully staffed business gateway service in Strathkelvin and Bearsden, rather than a virtual office?