§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make inquiries from the Highlands and Islands Development Board about public funds invested in Lewis Stokfisk; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. YoungerMy Department maintains close contact with the Highlands and Islands Development Board at all times and is therefore fully informed of the board's support for this company.
Lewis Stokfisk was established by the board, following the success of a similar enterprise in Norway, to exploit hitherto untapped deep sea fishing resources, and as part of its development strategy to achieve lasting improvement in economic conditions in the Western Isles. Trading results in 1980 were disappointing, but there has been an increased volume of business this year and the board has recognised from the start that it would take time for a new venture of this nature to achieve viability.