§ 27. Mr. Maclennanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action has been taken by the Highlands and Islands Development Board to promote the industrial development of Caithness following the report of the working party on the Wick/Thurso area.
§ Mr. RossThe Board is about to publish a synopsis of the Report, and I understand that its Chairman has recently written to my hon. Friend explaining how the Board is following it up.
§ Mr. MaclennanWhile thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask whether he recognises the continuing urgency of the need to underpin the economy of that area in view of the welcome industrial expansion of Inver-gordon further south? Has he given any thought to the possibility of establishing a permanent co-ordinating committee 396 to press forward the industrial development of that area?
§ Mr. RossYes. I am prepared to look at the last point. I think that something has been done locally between the Board and the local authorities. I am conscious of the concern in the area. It was for this reason that the Board and the local authorities got together to see what they could do about it.