HC Deb 02 March 1966 vol 725 c294W
Mr. Malcoln MacMillan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what total amount by way of grant and of loan, respectively, was paid out in respect of projects in the Outer Hebrides in each of the years 1960 to 1965, inclusive.

Mr. Ross

The extraction of the detailed information requested would involve time and expenditure quite disproportionate to the value of the information which could be given. The following particulars of assistance in respect of industrial and other projects under the Local Employment Acts and the Treasury Loan Scheme may be helpful to my hon. Friend.

The Treasury Loan Scheme, administered by the Highland Fund Limited, provided assistance to projects in the crofting counties during the period from October 1963 to November 1965. During this period loans totalling £18,240 were approved in respect of 11 projects in the Outer Hebrides.

Total financial assistance offered to the Outer Hebrides (excluding offers declined) under the Local Employment Acts during the period from 1st April 1960 to 31st December 1965 was £31,000 by way of loan and £32,630 by way of grant. Because of the small number of firms involved, a complete year by year breakdown could not properly be provided, but in 1965 10 firms received grants totalling £10,383. In addition expenditure amounting to £46,000 in grants and £104,000 in loans was incurred for the Outer Hebrides Fisheries Training Scheme.