§ Mr. Craigenasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will amend the arrangements under which the Highlands and Islands Development Board operates to simplify the exercise by the board of its powers to take equity in a company.
§ Mr. William RossI have revised the arrangements to facilitate the exercise of the board's power to take equity, and have agreed with the board criteria within which it will itself be able to decide whether to subscribe for or acquire shares of stock. My approval in future will only be needed for cases falling outside the criteria.