Labour MSP David Stewart says it is crucial to keep the HIE board to fight centralisation.

Mr Stewart says "if it ain't broke why fix it?"

The Labour MSP says "hands up, how many SNP backbenchers want this move?"

He thanks the Scottish Conservatives for the positive way they have brought forward this debate. 

"Tonight there is a chance for democracy to strike back, all we need is the will to do and the soul to dare," he says.

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SNP MSP Kate Forbes Dean Lockhart  says (Tory MSP) said HIE was going to be abolished and that was a downright mistruth.

Ms Forbes says it is an absolute cheek for the Conservatives to say the Scottish government of undermining HIE.

I think we should stop spreading fear."

"I see a government who is empowering Highland communities."

Ms Grant says HIE have used their funding and knowledge to fund businesses that would not otherwise have been supported, like pubs and petrol pumps.

The Labour MSP says the Scottish government must recognise it has no support for this plan.

he says we must take a stand, not just to save the HIE board but the essence of HIE as well. 

Labour MSP Rhoda Grant says she supports the Tory motion.

Ms Grant asks why anyone would disband the HIE board and no matter how much the government "wriggle" that is what is happening.

The Labour MSP says "the government's only aim is a power grab and centralisation".

SNP MSP Kate Forbes intervenes to say phase two has still to take place and that Ms grant supported phase one.

Ms Grant says that was before she knew the HIE board was to be disbanded and that has been "sneaked out". 

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SNP MSP Gail Ross asks if the minister will commit to be open minded about retaining some decision making in the Highlands and Islands.

Mr Brown says a number of proposals have been put forward for advisory boards.

The minister says they will be looked at in the Governance Review being undertaken by the chair of HIE, Professor Lorne Crerar.

Mr Brown says the government will strengthen the governance of enterprise in Scotland.

The economy secretary says the review focused on how enterprise agencies could best work together and to de-clutter. 

Mr Brown says he emphasises again that HIE is not being abolished. 

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Conservative MSP Liz Smith asks if there has been any communication from the four boards about his plans to abolish them.

Mr Brown says he has had various correspendence from the boards with issues supportive of the government but also issues of concerns.

Economy Secretary Keith Brown says he wants to work closely with all MSPs on enterprise.

Mr Brown says this is the very revers of centralisation.

The economy secretary says he cannot support the Tory motion and "HIE is not being abolished". 

Tory MSP Donald Cameron says it is imperative that the HIE board remains and continues to make strategic decisions.

Mr Cameron says removing the board will be the end of HIE.

The Tory MSP says this is the inexorable centralising agenda of this government. 

In October, the Scottish government set out plans to reform Scotland's enterprise and skills agencies.

Image source, PA

It proposed setting up a new Scotland-wide statutory board to co-ordinate the activities of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

The government said services already provided in the Highlands and Islands would be protected.

A new service has also been proposed for the south of Scotland.

In November, the chairman of Highlands and Islands Enterprise insisted the body will continue to exist in its present form despite changes to how it is overseen.

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Deputy First Minister John Swinney told MSPs that a new Scotland-wide group was to oversee and eventually "replace" individual agency boards.

Opposition MSPs said this could be the "death knell for HIE as we know it".

But chairman Prof Lorne Crerar said HIE would not be "in any way diminished" by the coming changes.

Conservative MSP Donald Cameron says Highlands and Islands Enterprise has 322 employees and budget of £74.5m, which has been ominously cut by 11%.

Mr Cameron says HIE is defined by the members of its boards, in law HIE is the board and the board is HIE.

An SNP MP has argued that allowing Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to retain its decision making powers would be the right thing to do.

Ian Blackford's proposal comes in the wake of plans for a single board to oversee Scotland's enterprise agencies.

Image source, PA

HIE supports economic growth in the Northern Isles, Western Isles, Highlands, Moray and Argyll.

A Scottish government spokesman said the body would continue to provide its locally-based support.

Concerns were raised about the future of HIE when a phase one review of the country's enterprise and skills support, external recommended an over-arching statutory body to co-ordinate the work of Scottish Enterprise and HIE.