Commonwealth Games

HC Deb 25 July 1986 vol 102 cc639-40W

Mr. Fletcher

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will assess the damage done to the financial arrangements for the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh by the number of countries now boycotting these games; and if he will make a statement of his intentions regarding Government financial assistance in these unforseen circumstances.

Mr. Rippon

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will arrange for Her Majesty's Government to make a contribution to the expenses of the Commonwealth games deducting the cost from aid currently earmarked for Commonwealth countries who have boycotted the games.

(a)—Acreage of land reclaimed
Region	1975–76 to 1978–79	1979–80	1980–81	1981–82	1982–83	1983–84	1984–85	1985–86	Total
Strathclyde	491.1	457.1	1,402.1	988.0	3,050.2	991.7	432.1	1,008.7	8,821.0
Dumfries and Galloway	35.1	18.9	43.3	114.4	10.9	—	8.2	27.1	257.9
Borders	0.3	66.9	18.4	10.1	78.2	17.1	2.4	0.4	193.8
Lothian	81.4	124.9	390.2	184.6	1,166.8	194.7	250.5	53.6	2,446.7
Central	140.2	65.0	455.3	60.0	649.0	42.6	28.6	146.7	1,587.4
Fife	95.8	56.6	841.9	155.4	571.2	84.6	40.4	83.3	1,929.2
Tayside	263.6	232.0	144.5	34.8	168.4	51.7	13.3	26.4	934.7
Grampian	55.4	19.1	17.7	3.3	101.5	46.7	7.7	89.5	340.9
Highland	4.4	102.4	7.4	49.1	221.2	18.8	10.0	17.3	494.6
Western Isles	—	—	1.3	—	23.7	—	—	—	25.0
Orkney	—	—	—	4.9	11.1	—	—	—	16.0
Shetland	—	—	—	12.4	7.1	—	—	—	19.5
Unallocated to Region	7.8	1.1	—	2.5	3.3	—	—	—	14.7
TOTAL	1,175.1	1,144.0	3,386.1	1,619.5	6,062.6	1,447.9	793.2	1,453.0	17,081.4

Information prior to 1979–80 is not available on an annual basis.

(b)—Financial provision for derelict land clearance and environmental improvement
£ million
1976–77	1977–78	1978–79	1979–80	1980–81	1981–82	1982–83	1983–84	1984–85	1985–86
10.0	15.0	20.3	24.3	30.3	18.9	27.6	23.9	33.6	34.4

Funding was underspent in years 1976–77 and 1977–78. In each subsequent year the initial provision was fully spent and additional resources were allocated.

Mr. Strang

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what total acreage of reclaimed derelict land in Scotland in 1975, and for each subsequent year to 1985, has been attributable to coal mining activities.

Mr. Allan Stewart

It is for the organisers to assess the financial implications of the last-minute withdrawals from the Commonwealth Games. The organisers have not asked for Government financial assistance. My right hon. and learned Friend and I congratulate them on their determination to make the games a financial success.