29TH ANNUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE CONFERENCE OF PERIPHERAL MARITIME REGIONS (CPMR) OUTER HEBRIDES (SCOTLAND)
STORNOWAY, 7 MAY 2009
Good morning ladies and gentlemen. I am delighted to be visiting Lewis and to have the opportunity to address the assembly. Welcome to Stornoway.
The United Kingdom is a collection of islands, some bigger than others. But big or small they all constitute important parts of our country and contribute to our rich mix of diversity.
The traditional challenges faced by the Outer Hebrides are familiar to everyone in this room. The geographical remoteness from the major centres of population, the additional costs that result and the lack of economic growth leading to a depletion of educated and ambitious young people from its population.
It is certainly true that many people left these islands during the 19th and 20th centuries and there was serious depopulation by emigration.
In the 19th century islanders were evicted from their crofts to make way for sheep - leaving their birthplace for ever, in the search for new opportunities elsewhere in the UK or further afield in North America. Indeed the population dropped by one-third between 1891 and 2001.
But in the 21st century and beyond, the geography of these islands may not be such a disadvantage. In fact, its location might become a real advantage to the Western Isles as it makes an ever more significant contribution to the Scottish and UK economies.
In our interconnected world, improved communications and the dawn of the Internet Age mean that the geographical handicaps which restricted prosperity in the past will be very much reduced in the future.
For geographical handicaps can be overcome and there are opportunities out there to be seized. The Western Isles are wired up to the world and can play a key part in the low carbon, sustainable economy of the future.
Despite being on the geographical fringes of Scotland and the UK, the Western Isles have long been on the radar for intrepid maritime peoples.
This island's connections with Europe goes back twelve centuries with the settlement of marauding Vikings in the 9th century. Even today the spoken language in Lewis has many associations with Norse.
Visitors from the mainland were not always afforded the same warm welcome which greets us today - and understandably so. King James VI of Scotland, later King James I of Great Britain, was one who tried to break the spirit of this island in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He promoted a company called the Fife Adventurers to lay waste to Lewis. But their three raids on Stornoway were beaten off by locals. And it was the Adventurers who went bankrupt.
Much of Stornoway's past prosperity was based on the fishing industry. But I was surprised to learn that it was the Dutch who first recognised the potential of Hebridean waters. During the 17th century their fishing fleets were frequently seen in Stornoway harbour.
So despite being on Scotland's periphery, over three centuries ago, there was already considerable interaction here with the continent of Europe.
Romance and rebellion were prominent in the 18th century but it was also the dawn of a legacy of service to the Crown and the growing British Empire. The romance came with the Jacobite rising of Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1745-46. However, just three decades later the islands were the birthplace of the Seaforth Highlanders, who served the Crown down the centuries and now form part of the 1st Battalion the Highlanders.
And the herring industry led to Stornoway becoming a major fishing port in its own right by the 19th century. Much of development of Lewis was financed by Sir James Matheson who had acquired his wealth through trade with China and bought the island in 1844. Two years later, in 1846, the commercial Harris Tweed industry was born - which lives on to this day and is recognisable by the orb trademark of the Harris Tweed Association.
So these islands have a proud heritage and an eventful past as part of Scottish and UK history. But they also have an exciting future. And the Government is committed to playing its part to help secure this.
I can assure you that the Western Isles are not on the periphery for UK Government Ministers. We view engagement with the Isles as a matter of great importance.
Only last month James Purnell, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, was here. Next month my colleague Jim Murphy, the Secretary of State for Scotland, is scheduled to visit.
James Purnell met Harris Tweed weavers. He even took the chance to operate a double-width loom, and to his relief didn't break it.
He appreciated the special set of skills the weavers have and the need to develop these skills for all the potential markets. That's why it is good news to hear that Harris Tweed upholstery will be used in new Alfa Romeo Mito superminis. An innovative approach linking the Islands with one of Europe's top companies and producing a welcome outcome.
We will do all that we can to help Harris Tweed weavers. That's why the UK Government has announced this year that in slack periods when they have no tweed to weave, weavers will now be able to apply for Jobseekers Allowance.
The economy of the Western Isles has centred on weaving, fishing, crafting and construction work for the oil industry. An ever more diverse economy will be at the heart of future prosperity - harnessing the region's traditional industries, natural advantages and the talents of the local population.
Energy has a big part to play in regeneration of the Western Isles. The UK Government believes in a diverse energy mix for Scotland. We are facing long term energy challenges - namely climate change and energy security but there is also opportunity. Investment in energy will drive forward jobs and growth. The Western Isles must share in this.
We are entering a low carbon revolution where the focus is on reducing our dependence on traditional fossil fuel sources.
This can only be done by adopting a mix of all forms of power to meet our future energy needs - to ensure that customers in Stornoway and throughout Scotland will be able to turn the switch and the lights will always go on.
So we are embracing nuclear, renewables and clean fossil fuel technology. The Western Isles should be at the forefront of this revolution - playing a vital part in meeting Scotland¿s and the UK's energy needs.
Renewable energy can stimulate the economy of the Western Isles by exploiting the advantages arising from geography. It can be a key driver for growth. The Government, in partnership with our devolved colleagues, wants to see this happen.
The natural wind, wave and tidal resources are the foundation of a sustainable industry which can bring long term economic benefits for businesses and families in the region. Two very different farms - the wind farm and the croft existing side by side.
As a source of renewable energy generations and as a testing area for renewable technology the scale and potential is enormous. It gives the Western Isles the unique opportunity to lead the way in the rapidly evolving renewable energy sector and to use the benefits to revitalise island communities.
Clean, green energy, jobs, research and revenue - a chance for the Western Isles to replicate the success of North Sea Oil and Gas. The prospect of good jobs in new technologies. Halting the brain drain and acting as a catalyst for economic, social and community regeneration.
Much of the recent successful development of Lewis and Harris is thanks to the efforts of the Highland and Islands Development Board (HIDB) now Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), and a number of projects funded by grants from the European Community.
The success of new enterprises shows that geographic location and the idea of remoteness from the large cities of the UK can be overcome when you have a well educated and enthusiastic local workforce. High quality telephone contact centre employment can be based here in a rural location. This demonstrates how the combination of high level skills, excellent staff retention and good telecoms infrastructure can bring and retain jobs in communities conventionally seen as remote.
Cutting edge jobs in creative industries adds to the creative and cultural mix. MG ALBA, the Gaelic Media Service, formed a partnership with the BBC to broadcast BBC ALBA, the Gaelic digital TV channel launched in September 2008. Based here in Stornoway it provides a wide range of quality Gaelic programming for a Scottish audience. And the UK Government's Digital Britain initiative has underlined the need for improvement in digital access for rural Scotland.
Next Generation Access is crucial and we want to see the consistent provision of high speed broadband in the Western Isles.
New technology gives the geographically remote a fairer chance to prosper. We must ensure that this technology is made available.
Tourism is another source of future prosperity. Tapping into a growing middle and upper income market. Mindful that in our smaller Global World these islands are no longer off the beaten track. Promoting eco-tourism and adventure holidays - viewing ruggedness and remoteness as assets rather than as liabilities.
The Western Isles can look forward with confidence. There have been difficulties in the past, difficulties arising from being on the periphery.
But the handicaps of the past are the opportunities of the future.
The remoteness and natural phenomena which were such barriers in the past can power the growth and prosperity of the future. The Western Isles have a central role in the economies of Scotland and the United Kingdom. This role will become ever more significant in the future.
I hope that you all have a most successful conference and enjoy the programme of events.