asked the Secretary of State for Industry, in view of the reply given to the hon. Member for Islington, Central (Mr. Grant) on 23 May, if he has met Lord Oram, chairman of the Co-operative Development Agency; and if he will make a statement.

I regret that due to Lord Oram's illness a meeting arranged for 23 October had to be cancelled. This meeting will be re-arranged shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the amount of money being made available to the Cooperative Development Agency in the current year.

The Co-operative Development Agency has estimated that £260,000 will be required in the current year and this sum is being made available.