§ Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the concentration of industry in South-West Scotland, he will regionalise the work of his Department in order to spread trade, industry and employment as indicated in the National Plan for Scotland.
§ Mr. RossI have set up Consultative Economic Planning Groups for the 319W Borders, South-West Scotland, the North-East and Tayside; and the Highlands and Islands Development Board has already under review all matters relating to the development of its area. The work of the Scottish Office in the sphere of encouraging economic development has, therefore, been effectively regionalised on the lines indicated in the White Paper on the Scottish Economy.