§ Lord Bruce-Gardyneasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the total value of taxpayer support promised for Highland Forest Products, including the cost of servicing foregone on capital investment in the pulp mill to be leased back to it rent-free, grants, and equity and other investment by the SDA; and what is the number of permanent jobs to be thereby created.
§ Lord Gray of ContinThe project in question is eligible for regional development grant amounting to 15 per cent. of the relevant capital costs. The company has also received offers of regional selective assistance and a 2-year rent-free period. Amounts of assistance offered are confidential to the company at this stage. The offers are governed by the relevant Government guidelines, as is the equity investment by the Scottish Development Agency. Apart from the rent-free period, the company will be charged a commercial rent for the property which the HIDB is to provide. The project is expected to give rise to an additional 90 direct jobs over a 5-year period, together with substantial indirect employment in forestry, harvesting and transport.