§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider setting up a number of centrally administered pilot projects to provide funds to tackle financial and social deprivation in rural areas of Scotland.
§ Mr. LangNo. My right hon. and learned Friend and I are not at present aware of any evidence which would suggest that the needs of rural areas would be better met through centrally administered projects as proposed than through encouraging close co-operation at local level between those public bodies concerned with securing the economic and social development of rural Scotland.