§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Lord President of the Council on what grounds the Government decided that it would be impracticable for the Scottish Development 447W Agency as a whole to be under the control of the Scottish Assembly.
§ Mr. Edward ShortThe Scottish Development Agency is one of the instruments created to implement the Government's objective of regenerating the United Kingdom economy. The Government believe that the Agency's industrial functions must be carried out within a common framework of industrial and regional policies which maintains a fair balance between the interests of firms and workers in all parts of the United Kingdom. To devolve responsibility for this part of the Agency's activities would not be compatible with economic unity.
§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Lord President of the Council if it is still the Government's view that devolution is impracticable in those fields, especially trade, industry and employment, in which they have refused to grant powers to the proposed Scottish Assembly.
§ Mr. Edward ShortYes.