§ Mr. Maclennanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland in how many companies the Highlands and Islands Development Board currently participates with an equity shareholding; and what is the value of the outstanding shares issued to the board.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellThe board has invested a total of£232,422 in equity shareholdings in 13 companies. None of the companies is quoted on the Stock Exchange and no assessment of the current value of the shares is available.
§ Mr. Maclennanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the new arrangements which he has approved whereunder the Highlands and Islands Development 295W Board has transferred its responsibility for offering grant and loan assistance to industry to the Scottish Industrial Development Executive; and if he will indicate how manufacturing industry in the Highlands and Islands can still receive preferential assistance over industries in other parts of Scotland.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellI have approved no such transfer. The HIDB can offer financial assistance to manufacturing industry in its area under the arrangements approved in terms of Section 8 of the Highlands and Islands Development (Scotland) Act 1965. This assistance is in addition to the regional development grants available from the Regional Development Grants Office, Glasgow, under the Industry Act 1972.