§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what Government assistance has been requested for the construction of a breakwater at Pittenweem harbour; what was his response; and if he will make a statement on the reasons for his decision;
- (2) what considerations led him to treat the proposal for a breakwater at Pittenweem harbour separately from the proposals for new fish-handling facilities in assessing whether a suitable rate of return could be obtained on investment;
- (3) what was the rate of return on investment of the most recent proposals for improvements to Pittenweem harbour submitted by Fife regional council, taken as a whole.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythFife regional council requested grant towards 50 per cent. of the cost of the breakwater construction, estimated at £1.85 million, under section 2 of the Fisheries Act 1955. A simultaneous request for 50 per cent. grant towards the proposed fish market development, with estimated costs of £1.084 million, is still under consideration.
The investment appraisal submitted by the council indicated a range of estimated rates of return dependent on certain assumptions. The breakwater and fish market were assessed independently, with the agreement of the council's officials, because of the limited mutual benefits of the two projects.