I saidin my letter that I support the UK’s negotiating strategy which reflects the issues thathave been raised by the Scottish higher education sector and other stakeholderswhich are:EIT should add value to competitivenessand innovation and not duplicate or cut across existing instruments such as theSeventh Framework Programme.Funding of EIT needs to be clarified.EIT should not have independentdegree-awarding powers and this should remain the preserve of individual institutions.The engagement of business iscritical to the success and reputation of the EIT and we need to ensure that businessesin Scotland are involved in the development of the EIT and its proposedKnowledge and Innovation Communities.Since the Commission’s Communicationwas first published, I have written to Alyn Smith, MEP indicating my broad supportfor the concept of EIT and that further work is needed before the proposal can befully supported.It would be premature to discussthe location for the board of the EIT at such an early stage in the negotiations.However, we will continue to closely monitor this and we will work with the sectorand other stakeholders to ensure that Scotland is able to take best...