§ Mr. George Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications for assistance under section 21 of the Scottish Development Agency Act 1975 have been made; how many have been granted; which companies have applied; and how much was paid to each.
§ Mr. RifkindAssistance amounting to £456,000, including an estimated sum for the current financial year, has been given to Loganair Ltd. No other companies have applied for assistance.
In a statement in April 1975–[Vol. 890, c. 5–7.]—the then Secretary of State said that the statutory powers to give grant were being taken in response to an application by Loganair for assistance towards specific routes, and that he did not propose for the time being to invite other airlines to submit proposals.
768Wencouraging individual authorities to make their own figures available. The overall figures are as follows:
§ Mr. George Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations were undertaken by him before the introduction of the Highlands and Islands Air Services (Scotland) Bill.
§ Mr. RifkindViews were invited from Western Isles islands council, Strathclyde and Highlands regional councils and the Highlands and Islands development board, the Scottish Consumer Council and from community councils in the areas served by the air services which receive assistance. Replies have been received from the bodies mentioned and from six community councils.
§ Mr. George Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, for each payment made under section 21 of the Scottish Development Agency Act 1975, how much of it was, respectively, loan, grant and equity holding.
§ Mr. RifkindAll payments have been in the form of grant.