§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if the Government will amend the Scotland Bill to clarify the powers of the(a) Secretary of State for Scotland, (b) the first Minister of the Scottish Executive and (c) the DTI concerning inward investment. [22651]
§ Mrs. Beckett[holding answer 12 January 1998]: The Bill as introduced already gives effect to the undertakings in the White Paper 'Scotland's Parliament' (Cm 3658 para 2.4) that financial assistance to industry and inward investment including the functions of Locate in Scotland would be devolved in Scotland. My Department's Invest in Britain Bureau will remain the national agency promoting the UK as a location for inward investment and will continue to work in partnership with Locate in Scotland under the Committee on Overseas Promotion. As also set out in the White Paper operation of these various powers will be subject to common UK guidelines and consultation arrangements to be set out in a published concordat.