§ 3. Mr. Donald Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on progress on an extension of the integrated development programme in the Western Isles.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. John MacKay)The European Commission considers that there is no need for a full-scale extension of the integrated development programme. We have asked the Commission to consider how best to wind up the IDP in order to protect the significant achievements made. We await the Commission's response.
§ Mr. StewartI thank the Minister for his reply. Is he aware that when the programme was inaugurated there were suggestions that there would be a follow-on extension? A number of the projects that have shown excellent results might be in danger if that extension is not arranged. Will he put pressure on the EEC to bring matters to a head as quickly as possible?
§ Mr. MacKayI appreciate the point that the right hon. Gentleman is making. The ball is in the Commission's court, and I have recently written to remind it of that fact. We shall have to wait to see what proposals it makes, but that must he before May 1987 in order that any proposals can be rolled over from the current integrated development programme.