§ Mr. Donald Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for reducing unemployment in the Western Isles.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellI recognise the special difficulties of the problem in the Western Isles and every effort continues to be made to encourage the expansion of348W existing industries and to attract new industries to the area.
The agency best equipped for fostering such developments continues to be the Highlands and Islands Development Board which is always at pains, with the help of the islanders themselves, to identify worthwhile projects. Our faith in the potential for development was illustrated recently by the board's decision, which I approved, to build a nest of small advance factories in Stornoway. Building is nearing completion and the board expects to find tenants for early occupation.