§ 27 and 28. Mr. Grimondasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will prepare plans so that the provisions of the Distribution of Industry Bill may be used to assist the extension or establishment of businesses in the Highlands and Islands which will give employment and use local resources;
(2) if he will make it clear that public bodies which have the necessary powers and operate in circumstances where the Distribution of Industry Bill applies should prepare to use its provisions for the assistance of local industry in the Highlands and Islands.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonMy right hon. Friend is asking my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to bear in mind the needs of the Highlands and Islands in connection with the Bill. I am sure that public bodies and others interested are following the course of the Bill in Parliament and will make their plans accordingly.
§ Mr. GrimondWhilst being grateful for what the Minister is saying to his right hon. Friend, may I ask him whether he is aware of the great difficulty which small firms have had in the past in taking advantage of the established ways of getting capital, and if he will ensure that the procedure is such that they will benefit under the Bill? As far as public bodies are concerned, would not this be an admirable chance for giving some of these bodies the powers and finance that they need to start them on development work, which is so much needed in the Highlands today?
§ Mr. MacphersonI think it would be inappropriate for me to deal in detail by question and answer with the effects 1020 of a Bill now before the House, but we will certainly bear in mind what the hon. Gentleman has said.