§ 6. Dr. Dickson Mabonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what financial or other support he is giving to the Scotland West Industrial Promotion Group; and if he will make a statement on its progress so far.
§ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Gordon Campbell)I warmly welcome the setting up of Scotland West and I wish it well. As I explained to the hon. Gentleman on 13th January, I think it right that the finance and other resources for regional efforts—of which Scotland West is one—should come from the regions concerned.—[Vol. 809, c. 58.]
§ Dr. MabonUndoubtedly that is a sailor's farewell. Does this mean that every regional promotion group in Scotland is to receive no money whatsoever from the Government directly? Is it a case that the total promotion of Scotland abroad will be £20,000, less than a penny a head? Is not this utterly deplorable in an area of Scotland which has had a series of closures—for instance, Plessey and many others—and now faces this deplorable decision not to allow Chevron to develop at Hunterston?
§ Mr. CampbellThe hon. Gentleman clearly has not understood what has been arranged with the Scottish Council. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Development has been seeing regional and other promotional agencies to seek support, including financial support, for a campaign to promote Scotland as a whole. The initial response has been excellent. The Government have agreed to provide £20,000 a year as a contribution to the new national organisation, and that is double the amount that the previous Government were providing, which in any case was due to come to an end.