§ Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what assistance has been provided or pledged by the Highlands and Islands Development Board from public funds to the West Highland Free Press, on what terms and conditions; and if he will give details of other in-instances where the board has provided financial backing to newspapers in its area of responsibility.
§ Mr. William RossThe Highlands and Islands Development Board does not normally disclose details of assistance given to individual projects. I understand, however, that following a reference in the Press the board has, with the agreement of the West Highland Publishing Company Limited, which publishes the West Highland Free Press, confirmed that it has offered the company financial assistance totalling £15,200.
The board had previously approved assistance totalling £77,621 to other publishing and printing firms.