asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many advance factories have been provided in Scotland in the last five years; and how many are contemplated for the next three years.

Until 27th January 1977 my Department, and previously the Department of Industry, was responsible, outside the Highlands and Islands, for the approval of Government-financed advance factory programmes, and in the period November 1972 to January 1977, 49 factories totalling 801,000 sq ft including 10 Development Commission factories totalling 58,000 sq ft—were completed within these programmes. Responsibility for advance factory programmes now rests primarily with the Scottish Development Agency, although such factories are also provided by local authorities, new town development corporations and the Highlands and Islands Development Board.