Is the minister aware of the Commission's proposals for new regional aid guidelines, which, with the reduction in population coverage from 68 per cent to 3 per cent, could have a severe impact on economic development in the many disadvantaged areas of the west of Scotland? Given the fact that those guidelines are due to come into effect in January 2007, is he convinced that the Department of Trade and Industry is fully aware of the potential effects of the proposals and that it will safeguard Scotland's interests?