§ Sir David SteelTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider providing funding for the Community Transport Association's advice and information service to Scotland, to allow it to advertise its existence throughout Scotland.
§ Mr. Lang[holding answer 4 March 1993]: The Community Transport Association applied for funding from the Scottish Office Industry Department in January 1992 to extend their advice and information service to Scotland. The application was carefully considered but was not approved. While consideration was given to the possible scope for paying a grant, there are no grant schemes at present which would have been suitable for the purpose. While I am sympathetic to the association's wish to expand in Scotland, it cannot be a priority at the present time to provide new funds for new schemes of grant.
Any future application which the association may make to the Scottish Office under transport or social work legislation would be considered on its merits and would depend on the strength of the case and the level of funding sought. I hope that the Association will continue to monitor the level of inquiries for advice and information which it receives from Scotland against the possibility of any future application being made.