§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much public money has been spent by the Highlands and Islands Development Board on conducting or commissioning mineral surveys; when were the surveys completed; where have they been deposited; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellThe Board has so far spent £135,000 on mineral surveys, and follow-up work is continuing on some projects. The following is a list of surveys and dates of completion:
(a) Regional mineral assessments:
- North West Sutherland (1969).
- Island of Mull (1970).
- Ross-shire (mainland) (1971).
- South East Skye (1971).
- Raasay (1971).
- Lewis and Harris (1971).
- Ardnamurchan, Morven, Moidart and Ardgour (1971).
(b) Specific mineral studies:
- Prospects for magnesia production (1969).
- Skye diatomite (1969).
- Possible diatomite deposits of west coast and islands (1971).
- Tiree iron ore (1971).
- Kentallenite (1971).
- Caithness flagstone (1970).
- Shetland limestone (1971).
- Quartzite (1971).
The reports are available for consultation at the Board's office in Inverness and at the offices of Robertson Research International in Llandudno.
I described in my answer to the hon. Member for Midlothian (Mr. Eadie) on 25th April the Board's efforts to interest developers in the minerals found, and I hope that it will be successful in securing the development of these resources.—[Vol 835, c. 250.]