“Action at last” — Carmichael welcomes Office of Fair Trading investigation

Northern Isles MP Alistair Carmichael has welcomed the announcement today by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) that it is to carry out an  investigation into the operation of markets in remote communities and that it is to hold evidence sessions in several locations including Shetland.

Mr Carmichael said: “This is an opportunity which we must seize with both hands.  I shall be in touch with the OFT to establish what exactly they want to see by way of evidence.  I also hope to work with the councils and the widest possible range of local community and business organisations in encouraging local people to take part in this investigation. It is up to us to make our case for ourselves. Nobody else is going to do it for us. If we do not use this opportunity now then it could be many years before we get another chance.”

“The holding of an evidence session in Shetland is welcome.  One of the first things I shall be exploring with the OFT is how we might make that session accessible to people in Orkney who also want a direct voice to be heard.   At the very least I would like to see some element of video conferencing being used.”