HL Deb 18 June 1985 vol 465 cc256-7WA
Lord Melchett

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much grant-aid was paid from public funds by (a) the Nature Conservancy Council and (b) the Countryside Commission for Scotland to provide:

  1. (i) interpretative and other facilities at the Inverdruie Ranger Centre, Rothiemurchus, Scotland; and
  2. (ii) the interpretative centre and toilets at Loch an Eilein, Cairngorm National Nature Reserve, Scotland.
and what grants or other public funds have been provided to cover running expenses and maintenance of these two facilities since they were opened to the public.

The Minister of State, Scottish Office (Lord Gray of Contin)

The following grants have been provided by the bodies concerned towards these facilities:

Nature Conservancy Council Countryside Commission for Scotland
(i) Inverdruie £26,345
(ii) Loch an Eilein £12,800 £6,405
Since the centres opened, the Nature Conservancy Council has provided £9,185 towards the running costs at Loch an Eilein up to August 1984 and the Countryside Commission for Scotland £87,314 towards the running costs of the Rothiemurchus Estate ranger service, which includes duties in connection with the two centres. No grants have been given for the running or maintenance costs of the facilities by the Highlands and Islands Development Board, the Scottish Tourist Board or the Scottish Sports Council. I have no information concerning the provision or otherwise of support by local authorities or other public bodies.