§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the role of the co-operative sector in the economy of Scotland. [18981]
§ Mr. KynochThe co-operative sector continues to have a role to play in the economy of Scotland. This has been acknowledged by the Government and funding for a number of co-operative projects has been, and continues to be, available through the urban programme. Assistance is also available to co-operatives under a range of schemes designed to encourage the development of small and medium-sized businesses. In order to encourage the development of marketing co-operatives the Government have introduced a marketing development scheme, intended to help producers and processors improve their marketing and commercial expertise. The Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society also continues to receive Government funding. In the financial sector, it is intended that measures will be considered by the deregulation committee later this year to remove certain restrictions on credit unions and industrial provident societies. These measures should enable the organisations concerned to streamline their procedures and should encourage growth.