Question reference: S1W-01157
- Asked by: Jamie Stone, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, Scottish Liberal Democrats
- Date lodged: 25 August 1999
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Current status: Answered by Sarah Boyack on 27 October 1999
Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans they have to (a) assist the local economies of the Highlands and other rural areas of Scotland following recent fuel increases, and (b) make representations to Her Majesty's Government to look again into the effect of the present UK fuel tax in the Highlands and other rural areas.
Answer
A range of Scottish Executive schemes are in place to help rural businesses and address the transport and other needs of rural communities, including Rural Public Passenger Transport Grant, Rural Community Transport Grant Scheme, Rural Petrol Station Grant Scheme, Social Inclusion Partnerships, the Scottish Rural Partnership Fund and the economic assistance schemes delivered through the Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Enterprise networks. These initiatives are informed by recent research on, amongst other things, car dependence, petrol stations and bus services in rural Scotland. The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with DETR about a wide range of issues including rural transport.