§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the Scottish Office budget for Highlands and Islands Enterprise in cash terms and at 1998–99 prices for(a) 1992–93, (b) 1993–94, (c) 1994–95, (d) 1995–96, (e) 1996–97, (f) 1997–98 and (g) 1998–99; and what is his estimate for (i) 1999–2000, (ii) 2000–01 and (iii) 2001–02. [76864]
§ Mr. Dewar[holding answer 16 March 1999]: The Scottish Office Budget for Highlands and Islands Enterprise in cash terms and at 1998–99 prices for the years 1992–93 to 1998–99 and the plan figures for 1999–2000 to 2001–02 are as follows.
789W
£ million Year Budget 1998–99 prices 1992–93 78.8 91.5 1993–94 79.2 89.5 1994–95 76.3 85.0 1995–96 77.7 84.2 1996–97 75.8 79.6 1997–98 79.1 81.1 1998–99 79.7 79.7 1999–2000 (plans)1 78.7 76.8 2000–01 (plans) 77.0 73.3 2001–02 (plans) 77.0 71.5 1Plan figures for 1999–2000 are subject to adjustment to reflect annual and in-year post CSR changes to baseline provision. The budget figure shown for 1999–2000 includes the £1.7 million recently announced for the purpose of attracting inward investment projects to the Highlands and Islands. Future year plans reflect a realignment of Highlands and Islands Enterprise's existing training programmes to reflect the introduction of the New Deal, in which the enterprise network will play a key role. About £300 million of New Deal resources will also be available in Scotland over the lifetime of this Parliament by way of Employment Service spending. A proportion of this will be available for delivery of the New Deal programme in the Highlands and Islands.
From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.