§ Mr. Robert Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if, pursuant to the reply of the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, the hon. Member for Edinburgh, North (Mr. Fletcher) at Scottish 66W Question Time on Wednesday 24 October to the hon. Member for Aberdeen, North, he will confirm his intention, as announced on 17 July, to put in hand a study of the impact of oil development on the indigenous industries in Orkney and Shetland and most of the Grampian region;
(2) what is to be the membership of the study group into the impact of oil development on the indigenous industries of Orkney and Shetland and most of the Grampian region; when it will begin its work; and what arrangements have been made for interested parties to submit evidence.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherArrangements for a study of the effects of oil industry developments on indigenous industry are currently under discussion, and an announcement should be made before the end of the year.