§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will take steps to support the economy of rural parts of Grampian both through assistance to local industries and through funding of rural development programmes; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what plans he has to help finance the necessary restructuring and modernisation of plant and equipment in rural traditional industries, including fish processing, distilling, textiles, paper-making and other indigenous industries; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Allan StewartThere is already a wide range of assistance available in Grampian and elsewhere under the Government's schemes of support for industry, including industry in rural areas. These include tax incentives, loans for small businesses and schemes to promote innovation in the development of new products and processes. The Scottish Development Agency operates extensive programmes of factory building and support for small firms and has a responsibility to promote the economy of rural meas. More generally, the Government's success in controlling inflation is helping to create conditions in which all sectors of industry can become more competitive.