§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the existing contract for local enterprise companies comes to an end; and what procedure will be followed in choosing the successor companies.
§ Mr. StewartThe local enterprise companies' operating contracts with Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise are renegotiated and renewed annually. Selection procedures, in the case of competing bids for a particular area, are an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.