HC Deb 16 January 1991 vol 183 cc537-8W
Mr. McKelvey

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland who has expressed an interest in national health service status for the South Ayrshire unit comprising the hospitals at Ayr and Ballochmyle.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

[holding answer 14 January 1991]: The expression of interest in self-governing status for the South Ayrshire unit was formally submitted by the unit general manager. Work on the preparation of business plans is now under way.

Mr. Allan Stewart

The international service group of the Scottish Development Agency has one direct representative in the United States of America, and indirect representation in Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary and the USSR. These arrangements have all been established since 1988.

In addition, through its joint sponsorship of Locate in Scotland with the Scottish Office Industry Department, the Scottish Development Agency also has direct representation by employees in the USA—in Stamford, San Mateo, Houston and Chicago—Japan, Hong Kong and Brussels; and indirectly in Australia and Korea. These arrangements have developed and altered over the period since the formation of Locate in Scotland in 1981.