§ Mr. Bill WalkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is now able to announce which areas of the highlands and islands are to be targeted under the business development scheme of the rural enterprise programme announced on 17 November 1989.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonI am pleased to announce that the rural enterprise programme's business development scheme, which is designed to help farmers and crofters diversify into new enterprises, will operate initially in Wester Ross, Lochalsh, Lochaber and southeast Sutherland. Subject to parliamentary approval of the statutory instrument, locally based project officers should be appointed this autumn, and I expect the first awards to 328W be made under the BDS next spring. Subject to the response achieved in these areas, Ministers will review the case for extending the BDS to other areas next autumn.
I have also decided that the REP's marketing scheme, which is designed to help farmers and crofters to market their produce more effectively, to promote a diversified business, and to publicise the benefits of improving the health status of livestock, will operate throughout the Highlands and Islands area eligible for assistance under objective 5b of the EC structural funds. I hope that the marketing scheme will be in operation before the end of 1990.