HC Deb 16 February 1994 vol 237 cc875-6W
Mr. Maclennan

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what time limit he set for the feasibility study, "A Rural Framework for North West Sutherland", in respect of(a) presentation of the draft report, (b) consultation and(c) presentation of the final report.

Sir Hector Monro

As a condition of its contribution to the funding of the feasibility study the Scottish Office Environment Department required that it be kept informed of progress on the study; have the opportunity to comment on the final draft report which was to be submitted by 31 March 1993; and receive a copy of the final report at least five working days prior to publication. These conditions were fulfilled.

Mr. Maclennan

To ask the Secretary of State For Scotland what assessment he has made of whether the feasibility study, "A Rural Framework for North West Sutherland", meets the objective which he set out on page 5 of his document, "Rural Framework 1992".

Sir Hector Monro

A main purpose of "The Scottish Office Rural Framework" was to identify a number of themes to act as a focus for thought and action about the future of rural Scotland. It was a consultation paper and did not seek to prescribe the way forward or the activities of existing organisations. It is now for the North West Sutherland council of social service and the Scottish Crofters Union to decide on whether or how to take forward its feasibility study into the possibility of restructuring itself into a rural framework organisation, having regard to the particular circumstances of north-west Sutherland and to the views and wishes of interested parties.

Mr. Maclennan

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what conditions he attached to his part-funding of the feasibility study, "A Rural Framework for North West Sutherland".

Sir Hector Monro

The Scottish Office Environment Department contributed £1,500 towards the cost of a feasibility study into the possibility of restructuring North West Sutherland council of social service into a rural framework organisation. It did not, however, commission the study. The report of the study is the property of NWSCSS and the Scottish Crofters Union, and its implementation is a matter for them. Standard conditions were set requiring that the Scottish Office Environment Department be kept informed of progress on the study; be given the opportunity to comment on the final draft report and receive a copy of the final report prior to publication.