§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what statutory powers he has to give the Scottish Development Agency a specific instruction to acquire ownership of the whole or part of a private company.
§ Mr. Gregor MackenzieNeither the Secretary of State nor the agency has power to acquire shareholdings compulsorily, but Sections 4 and 5 of the Scottish Development Agency Act 1975 contain powers which could be used to direct the agency to seek a negotiated purchase.