§ Mr. RandallTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 12 March 1998,Official Report, column 292, and the subsequent letter from Highlands and Islands Enterprise, (1) if Highland and Islands Enterprise's appraisal of the proposed funicular railway on Cairn Gorm assessed the likely increase in (a) the number of tourist days and (b) visitor expenditure; [38597]
(2) what was the projected impact on the winter and summer businesses of (a) Aonoch Mar, (b) the Lecht and (c) Glen Shee, identified in the economic appraisal of the proposed funicular railway in Cairn Gorm. [38595]
§ Mr. WilsonThese are operational matters for Highlands and Islands Enterprise. I will ask the Chairman of that organisation to write to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. RandallTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 12 March 1998,Official Report, column 292, and the subsequent letter from Highlands and Islands Enterprise, if he took into account the contents of HIE's economic appraisal in approving the expenditure by HIE on a funicular railway on Cairn Gorm; and what independent assessment of this appraisal his Department sought. [38596]
§ Mr. WilsonThe economic appraisal of the proposed funicular railway project was one of the factors which my right hon. Friend and I took into account in deciding to approve the financial contribution of Highlands and Islands Enterprise to the project.
My right hon. Friend and I do not usually seek an independent assessment of the economic appraisals carried out by or for Highlands and Islands Enterprise. Professional advice on the contents of such appraisals is available from Departmental officials.