Conservative MSP Liz Smith welcomes the retention of the boards of the enterprise and skills agencies.

Ms Smith asks if it will still be for Parliament to allocate the funding to the Scottish Funding council.

Mr Brown says there is no intention to change the functions or the structures of the SFC.

Labour MSP Jackie Baillie says she feels some sympathy for Keith Brown after a difficult week and that he appears to have made a series of u-turns on a new board.

Ms Baillie asks the minister to confirm that the new board will not be statutory and says she is surprised that he is not chairing this board.

Mr Brown says he believes it is important that a minister does not chair the board and these feelings are shared by the review group.

The minister says he recognises the value in bringing the Agencies together quickly to form an Implementation Board.

He says: "The core purpose of this review is to drive a step change in the performance of our economy, and to deliver strong, vibrant and inclusive growth."

Mr Brown says: "I confirm today that the boards, of HIE, the SFC and the other agencies will remain but there is an absolute expectation that the agencies will work to align their delivery to maximise their positive impact on the economy. 

"As I have previously promised, HIE will continue to be locally-based, managed and directed, and the new arrangements will protect and enhance their unique service."

Energy Secretary Keith Brown says productivity growth is at the centre of the Enterprise and Skills Review and he says he wants it to increase the role of the agencies, including HIE and the Scottish Funding Council.

Mr Brown says the commitment to create a strategic board will deliver benefits and he accepts there have been concerns about HIE and the Scottish Funding Council boards being merged.

He says he has relfected on the views in this chamber about the merger.

The minister reiterates intention is to establish a strategic board.

Economy Secretary Keith Brown says, since January, there has been two debates in parliament during which MSPs have shared their views.

Mr Brown says phase one of the review set out the challenges faced.

The economy secretary says, despite challenges, the Scottish economy continues to perform. 

He says the status quo will not deliver the step change necessary. 

MSPs voted to demand the Scottish Funding Council retain its own board earlier this month , handing the government a second defeat over its enterprise and skills review.

Ministers want a new management body to oversee all of Scotland's enterprise and skills agencies, but opposition members want individual boards to stay.

Holyrood previously  voted to "reverse" the plans  as they relate to Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

The government has pledged to set out its intentions in the coming weeks.

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The Scottish government set out plans to reform Scotland's enterprise and skills agencies in October.

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 was also proposed for the south of Scotland.

Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Secretary Keith Brown will now give a ministerial statement on the Enterprise and Skills Review.

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Lib Dem MSP Willie Rennie says there is nothing new here and says the minister continues to flought the will of the parliament and he asks has he had his ears boxed by the first minister for doing so.

Mr Wheelhouse says the government is sticking to the deadlines the committed to and he is respecting parliament by giving a statement during the consultation.

He says: "We are doing what we promised to do and I think we are doing it well."

Greens MSP Mark Ruskell says the minister has once again said "now is not the time for a decision".

Mr Ruskell says he respects the fact that the government has a timeframe but asks how important the consultation is for a legal outcome.

Mr Wheelhouse says there is very strong participation in the consultation exercise and it is only right that the public have their say.

The energy minister says the recommendation will be made to parliament and MSPs can debate on that.

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Labour MSP Claudia Beamish calls on the minister to recognise that her bill calling for the banning of fracking onhsore is the best way forward.

Mr Wheelhouse says the consultation is the best way forward and expert advice examined. 

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Labour MSP Jackie Baillie says the parliament has voted to ban fracking.

Ms Baillie says the minister is again saying he is cautiously consulting.

He says there is nothing new and nothing that that delivers on the will of parliament.

She says is this like the independence referendum saying there will be vote after vote until the SNP get the answer they want.

Mr Wheelhouse says the opposition called for a statement and the consultation is ongoing.

It is customary to let a consultation conclude before taking a decision and he says he would have thought Ms Baillie would want to hear the opinion of the Scottish people. 

Tory MSP Alexander Burnett says he is disappointed with the lack of information in the statement.

Mr Burnett asks if the minister if information on a date will finally be given to those who are awaiting the decision. 

Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse says the Scottish Conservatives made no reference to underground coal gasification in their recent climate change strategy.

Mr Wheelhouse says he will leave Mr Burnett to "sit and scream from the sidelines". 

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Mr Wheelhouse says after this the Scottish government will come to a carefully considered approach.

The energy minister says he will respect the will of parliament on this issue.