§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the forthcoming policy and financial management reviews of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. [14553]
§ Mr. Michael ForsythAs part of the Government's rolling programme of five-yearly policy and financial management reviews of non-departmental public bodies, my Department will conduct a thorough review of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise during 1996. The first stage of the review will take the form of a prior options study. In accordance with normal practice on such reviews, this will include an examination of the scope for discontinuing, privatising, contracting out or transferring to another body some or all of the functions carried out by Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. This study is now under way and I would welcome comments from interested parties. Comments should be sent by 31 March 1996 to:
- Mr. J. Irvine
- The Scottish Office Education and Industry Department
- Room 3F-53
- Victoria Quay
- Edinburgh
- EH6 6QQ