HC Deb 24 June 1964 vol 697 cc383-5
9. Mr. N. McLean

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the current investment figures in the Highlands and Islands through public investment, loan or grant under the following headings, namely, roads, tourism, electricity, including nuclear power stations, and other industries.

Mr. Campbell

As the Answer consists of a table of figures, I shall, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. McLean

Can my hon. Friend ensure that, despite the importance of the plan for central Scotland, the rate of investment in the Highlands continues and is increased on present figures, because this is of tremendous importance to the Highlands?

Mr. Campbell

I agree with my hon. Friend about the importance of this, and it is certainly my right hon. Friend's intention that the Highlands and Islands shall continue to benefit from public investment. An important contribution is the Exchequer expenditure connected with the pulp mill. Another is the fact that the Highland counties are development districts and qualify for financial assistance under the Local Employment Act.

Mr. Ross

Will the hon. Gentleman take every advantage of whatever means there are to give widespread publicity to the dependence of the constituency of the hon. Member for Inverness (Mr. N. McLean) on public investment? Could he also think of adding to the list of figures one showing the number of Questions which the hon. Member for Inverness has asked about this matter over the last four years?

Mr. Campbell

I do not think that it is necessary to do the first, because my hon. Friend the Member for Inverness (Mr. N. McLean) made a very good speech on the subject recently. The important point which he made was that these important industries should not be under the threat of nationalisation.

The following are the figures:

1963–64 1964–65
(near-actual) (estimate)
Roads £3.1 million £3.6 million
(of which Exchequer grants) (£2.7 million) (£3.2 million)
Electricity (including Dounreay) £11.3 million £10.2 million

Tourism and other industries

Separate figures about capital investment in tourism and other private industries are not available.

Exchequer assistance offered under the Local Employment Acts to private industry generally is:

1963–64 1964–65
(near-actual) (estimate)
£330,000 (not available)

In addition exchequer expenditure in respect of the pulp mill project at Fort William is:

1963–64 1964–65
(near-actual) (estimate)
£3.17 million £5.52 million

10. Mr. N. McLean

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the current investment figures in the Highlands and Islands through public investment, loan or grant under the following headings, namely, crofting, rural industries and shipping services.

Mr. Stodart

As the Answer consists of a table of figures, I shall, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. McLean

Can my hon. Friend break down the figures for crofting into those amounts given for agricultural improvements and those given for the improvement of the tourist side of the crofting economy?

Mr. Stodart

At a quick glance, I think that the increase is roughly the same between 1963–64 and 1964–65. It appears that the increase in those two years was roughly 10 per cent. on agricultural production and about 12 per cent. on housing which might be attributed to improvements with a view to furthering the tourist trade.

Mr. Bence

Could the hon. Gentleman include in the figures the total amount of private investment in the Highlands?

Mr. Stodart

Not without notice.

Mr. Rankin

The hon. Gentleman is getting the notice.

Mr. Woodburn

Could the hon. Gentleman add to the figures the public money which has gone under the Labour Government's equalisation grant to provide local services in the Highlands, which amount in some cases to between 90 per cent. and 95 per cent. of the expenditure?

Mr. Stodart

I do not think that those figures are included, but if the right hon. Gentleman cares to put a Question down we will answer it.

Following is the table:

1963–64 Expenditure 1964–65 Estimate
Crofting
(Loans) (£143,000) (£172,000)
(Grants) (£627,000) (£702,000)
(Other Services) (£44,000) (£41,000)
Total £814,000 £915,000
Rural Industries
Loans (mainly through the Highland Fund Treasury Loan Scheme) £35,500 £50,000
Shipping Services
(Capital expenditure on ships) (£835,000) (£382,000)
(Grants) (£281,000) (£384,000)
Total £1,116,000 £766,000