§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will commission an independent study of the financial and other needs of small craft enterprises working in rural areas in Scotland.
§ Mr. LangSupport for the crafts industry in Scotland is provided through the Scottish Development Agency and the Highland and Islands development board. Both bodies provide a range of financial and other support to the industry in line with its support for other types of small businesses. These bodies also fund Craftpoint, a limited company providing marketing services to the crafts industry throughout Scotland. The functions of Craftpoint are shortly to be reviewed and I have asked the agencies to prepare a consultation document on the long-term strategy for the crafts industry in Scotland incorporating the findings of this review.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider increased financial support for craft industries in rural areas in Scotland, and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LangThe Scottish Development Agency and the Highlands and Islands development board both view support for the crafts industry as a priority function and there is no evidence that viable projects are being lost through lack of funding. Decisions on the level of financial support are for the agencies to make within their overall approved budget provisions.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in theOfficial Report those powers that currently exist to provide capital or revenue grants or loans to small craft enterprises in rural areas.
§ Mr. LangUnder the provisions of their Acts, both the Scottish Development Agency and the Highlands and Islands development board have a wide range of powers which enable them to support the crafts industry through the provision of financial assistance, premises, advisory, marketing and other services.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in theOfficial Report the initiatives he has taken to promote the interests of small craft businesses in rural areas since 1979.
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§ Mr. LangThe Scottish Development Agency and the Highlands and Islands development board, together with Craftpoint, are actively involved in the promotion of the crafts industry in Scotland. For example, Craftpoint sponsors an annual highland trade fair held each year in Aviemore and the Scottish Development Agency maintains a crafts collection which is used for promotional purposes.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a catalogue of established craft enterprises in Scotland financed by central funds, to be updated on a regular basis.
§ Mr. LangThe Scottish Development Agency publishes a quarterly news sheet entitled "Crafts News" which includes a list of all crafts enterprises assisted by the agency through grant funding during the previous quarter. Information on assistance provided to crafts enterprises by the Highlands and Islands development board is not available.