§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland on what date the Scottish Development Agency acquired the majority ownership of Stonefield Vehicles; on what date instructions were given to the Scottish Development Agency to seek a "private partner" for Stonefield Vehicles; and on what date the receiver was appointed by the Scottish Development Agency.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherThe Scottish Development Agency increased its existing minority holding to 76 per cent. of the equity in January 1978; it was given approval in December 1979 to invest further funds in the company on condition that it continued the initiative it had itself taken the previous year to obtain a private sector partner; the agency appointed a receiver on 30 July 1980.
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what written or verbal invitations he or Ministers in his Department received to visit the Stonefield factory at Cumnock; and why, in view of the fact that the factory was then the main investment of the Scottish Development
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§ Mr. Rifkind[pursuant to his reply, 31 October 1980, c. 378]: Given the priorities elsewhere and the continuing need for restraint in public expenditure, there is little prospect or justification at present for bringing forward these schemes.