§ 5. Mr. Grayasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Highlands and Islands Development Board intends to publish its report on the development of the Ben Wyvis area of Ross and Cromarty.
§ Mr. YoungerI undestand that very recently the Highlands and Islands Development Board received from consultants a report on the possibilities of winter sports development on Ben Wyvis. It is for the board to decide whether publication of this report would further such development.
§ Mr. GrayI am glad to know that the board has now received this report, for the delay was causing considerable worry in my constituency. Will my hon. Friend suggest to the Highlands and Islands Development Board that, when considering this report, it should consider also the privately commissioned report which has already been prepared, having been commissioned by the Ben Wyvis Development Corporation?
§ Mr. YoungerMy hon. Friend may like to know that the report took a little longer than expected because, in addition to evaluating the market potential of Ben Wyvis, the consultants made quantitative assessments of existing winter sports facilities both in Scotland and on the Continent and of their likely development over the next decade. It has been a fairly wide-ranging study which, I hope, will prove useful.