§ Mr. James Whiteasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures he proposed for the further encouragement of tourist development in Scotland.
§ Mr. MillanIn order to carry forward our policy of promoting the growth of tourism in parts of Scotland where this form of development can make a significant contribution towards relieving problems of unemployment and depopulation, I have asked the Scottish Tourist Board to prepare outline proposals for comprehensive development schemes in consultation with local authorities, with other statutory bodies and with commercial and private interests.
The Board has expressed its readiness to take this initiative. It has a number of possible schemes under examination, and discussions about these have started, or will start soon, with other bodies concerned. Because of the importance of physical planning considerations, the Board will be consulting closely with local authorities who will not, however, be financially committed in any way in terms of this announcement. The Tourist Board will work in co-operation with the Highlands and Islands Development Board, which also has a responsibility for the development of tourism, over the preparation of schemes for its area.
I have asked the Board to be ready to set aside in future a substantial propor- 634W tion of its existing allocation of project assistance funds for approved schemes of this kind.
I am confident that my approach to the Board will now lead to proposals which will bring together private and public investment for tourism development in an effective way to stimulate economic growth in areas of special need, thus giving expression to the objectives of the Government's policy guidelines for tourism announced in 1974.