§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the desirability of providing financial aid and incentives to encourage rural local authorities to set up specific local exchange trading schemes to help farmers during the BSE crisis; and if he will make a statement. [2311]
§ Mr. Raymond S. Robertson[holding answer 7 November 1996]: We have received no representations to set up local exchange trading schemes. We would expect rural local authorities to take the initiative themselves if they considered there was a need in their areas.