§ Mr. Donald Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the present range of grants available to the Scottish tourist industry; and what is the total amount of grants paid in each of the last five years.
§ Mr. YoungerFinancial assistance is available for tourism projects in the form of grants and loans from the Scottish Tourist Board and the Highlands and Islands Development Board. Payments made or approved are as follows:
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SCOTTISH TOURIST BOARD Financial year Grants given under section 4 of the Development of Tourism Act 1969 Loans given under section 4 of 1969 Act Hotel development grants under the now defunct Part II of 1969 Act £ £ £ 1975–76 555,180 17,000 395,173 1976–77 695,089 5,000 74,938 1977–78 955,118 45,000 55,959 1978–79 1,216,550 83,500 335 1979–80 1,648,500 1,500 —
HIGHLAND AND ISLANDS DEVELOPMENT BOARD Calendar year Grants under section 8 of the Highlands and Islands Development (Scotland) Act 1965 Loans under section 8 and share capital participation £ £ 1975 1,100,000 600,000 1976 1,200,000 1,000,000 1977 1,986,148 1,195,455 1978 2,912,269 1,079,056 1979 2,562,000 1,176,000 The Scottish Development Agency is able to give loans for the purchase and improvement of tourist accommodation through its small business division. Local authorities, and other bodies such as the Countryside Commission for Scotland, the Scottish Sports Council, the Scottish Arts Council and the National Trust for Scotland can also give financial help to projects which assist the tourist industry, directly or indirectly.