§ Mr. SteelTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his strategy for rural area development in Scotland; if he intends to establish a rural development agency; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RifkindI believe that rural area development in Scotland is best tackled by supporting and encouraging the initiative and potential which exists in rural communities.
Government assistance for rural development is channelled through a variety of mechanisms, including the Scottish Development Agency, the Highlands and Islands Development Board, local authorities and other public bodies. Full details of the wide range of assistance available is provided in the booklet "Rural Scotland" which my Department published earlier this year. We will continue to encourage these bodies to respond to the needs of rural areas in a co-ordinated manner to secure the economic and social development of rural Scotland.
I have no plans to establish a rural development agency. I believe that the interests of rural areas are better served through the existing mechanisms than by the creation of another public body.