§ Mr. MacdonaldTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the likely costs to the Government of the public inquiry into the proposed super-quarry at Lingarabay in the Hebrides; and if he will consider contributing to the costs which will be incurred by the Western Isles island council in making representations to that inquiry.
§ Mr. StewartThe latest estimate of the likely costs to the Government of the public local inquiry into the proposed super-quarry at Lingarabay is £120,000.
The matter of contributing to the costs which will he incurred by the Western Isles island council in participating in the inquiry has been the subject of correspondence between, among others, my right hon. Friend and the convener. He has considered the request carefully but has made it clear that he is unable to make an exception to the statutory requirement for such costs to be met by the council.