§ 1. Mr. Grimondasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total of (a) capital grants, and (b) annual subsidies given and paid to (i) the Western Isles and (ii) to Orkney and Shetland over the last 20 years for shipping services.
§ Mr. MillanBetween 1957 and 1977 Government assistance towards the capital cost of construction or improvement of transport, piers and improvement to services amounted to £9.4 million, of which £6.8 million was for Orkney and Shetland shipping services and £2.6 million for the Western Isles. Revenue support over the period 1962–77 for shipping services to the Western Isles was £17.1 million and for Orkney and Shetland £3.4 million. Information on revenue support prior to 1962 cannot be obtained without disproportionate cost.