HC Deb 22 October 1986 vol 102 cc925-6W
Mr. Steel

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy to provide Government financial assistance for forestry roads.

Mr. Rifkind

It is up to local authorities to assess priorities in their roads and transport financial plans, but I am prepared to take such expenditure into account when determining capital allocations for future years. In assisted areas, a 30 per cent. grant is available under the Industrial Development Act 1982 for improvements to roads required for the extraction of timber.

Mr. Steel

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make' a statement on the Scottish Development Agency and Scottish forestry products development group report on forest products in Scotland in the light of the importance of roads to the harvesting of timber.

Mr. Rifkind

The report, which derived from a major study of the opportunities for growth in exploiting Scotland's timber resources, described in brief terms the industrial infrastructure which exists in Scotland, including the transport and communications network. The group's study remit did not extend to considering the provision of roads.

Where a regional council considers improved communication links to be important to industrial development, and for other purposes, it can, as local roads authority, determine to upgrade roads in its area. If an authority includes such work on its roads and transport capital programmes, I shall take account of it in determining capital allocations.

Mr. Steel

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received about a national financial assistance scheme for forestry industry projects and the production of promotional literature concerning opportunities in the Borders region for the development of forest products.

Mr. Rifkind

In May of this year, Borders regional council's economic development department sent to the Scottish Office a copy of its report on forestry and woodlands in the Borders which covers these matters. As regards a national financial assistance scheme, I would refer to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Member for Eastwood (Mr. Stewart) to the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood) on 20 June, at column 670.