§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the role of the Scottish Co-operative Development Company in economic development; what support is offered by his Department and by Scottish Enterprise; what guidelines he has issued to local enterprise companies on their relationships with the Scottish Co-operative Development Company; and if he will allocate additional funding to the Scottish Co-operative Development Company for the development of a phoenix unit.
§ Mr. StewartThe Government acknowledge that the Scottish Co-operative Development Company has performed a valuable role in helping to establish business co-operatives. One of the company's main sources of income is the urban programme, which is funded by the Scottish Office. The company currently receives no funding from Scottish Enterprise. It is open to local enterprise companies to contract with the Scottish Co-operative Development Company as they see fit; my right hon. Friend has issued no guidelines on this matter.
The question of funding for a phoenix unit will be considered when the company submits its proposals to the Scottish Office.
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