§ 25. Mr. Russell Johnstonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a statement on the Government's policy concerning the Highlands and Islands Development Board.
§ 57. Mr. Oswaldasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will announce his policy as regards the Highlands and Islands Development Board.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellWe strongly support the work of the Highlands and Islands Development Board and will help the board to do its job even more effectively.
§ Mr. JohnstonDoes the Secretary of State feel that the current average expenditure of the board of £1.3 million is sufficient for it to do its job properly and to make a marked impression on the economic stability of an area half the size of Scotland?
§ Mr. CampbellI am worried by the fact that the amount of S.E.T. taken out of the area is much greater than that figure. I am also concerned with the effectiveness of the money spent. What matters is results, and I shall do my best to help the board in this. In the short time since taking office I have already had a meeting with the chairman of the board.
§ Mr. OswaldDoes not the Secretary of State appreciate that the Highlands and Islands Development Board has done a most remarkable job in the short time that it has been in being? Has the right hon. Gentleman any intention in the very near future to push up considerably the amount of money to enable it still further to carry on the job of rehabilitation of the Highland area?
§ Mr. CampbellAs the hon. Member will know, the board already has a large measure of discretion in grants and loans as a result of what was pressed by Conservative Members at the time the Bill was going through in 1965. I am now examining the arrangements under which it gives grants and loans to see whether more can be done.