§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidelines he has laid down for Scottish Enterprise about when local enterprise companies may take steps to provide serviced sites.
§ Mr. StewartThe strategic and policy guidance which my right hon. Friend has set for Scottish Enterprise makes it clear that the objective should be to ensure that the formation and expansion of business in its area is not artificially constrained by a lack of suitable sites and premises.
In pursuing this objective, Scottish Enterprise is required to concentrate on facilitating private development and encouraging the private sector.to take an increasingly active part in the provision and management of industrial property, thus promoting a normal and self-sustaining industrial property market.
Within that broad strategic and policy framework, Scottish Enterprise and the local enterprise companies have discretion to operate subject to certain detailed scheme rules and delegated authorities.
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy to encourage Scottish Enterprise and the local enterprise companies to take a more proactive role on industrial site development to prepare for any increasing demand.
§ Mr. StewartMy right hon. Friend has already made clear, in his strategic and policy guidance to Scottish Enterprise, the need to ensure that the formation and expansion of business is not constrained by a lack of suitable sites or premises. In particular, in setting out strategic guidance for the operation of the network in 1994–95, he acknowledged that, with the essential elements of economic recovery now in place, the Scottish50W Enterprise network would be keen to translate the opportunities which the recovery will bring into sustainable growth, jobs and competitiveness in Scotland.
Scottish Enterprise and its local enterprise companies have also been given substantial budgets, and broad-ranging and flexible powers, to allow them to respond to market demands and opportunities. They are well placed to do so, although they are not, of course, alone in having a contribution to make in this area.
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the information he receives about the operation of local enterprise companies; and what plans he has to increase the information available to him.
§ Mr. Stewart[holding answer 22 April 1994]: The operation of local enterprise companies is a matter for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The enterprise bodies are required to agree with local enterprise companies the monitoring information to be collected in order to ensure that activities and services in the network as a whole are delivered satisfactorily.
I am satisfied that these information requirements are subject to regular review and that periodic reports are provided showing progress towards the enterprise bodies' objectives and priorities.