asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the full cost of the evaluation study of the GEAR project as commissioned by the Scottish Development Agency.

This study is not yet completed, but is expected to cost about £125,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he proposes to take in the light of the findings of the Scottish Development Agency evaluation study of the GEAR project regarding the adequacy of the resources made available to the project; if he will now make additional resources available; and if he will make a statement.

Although the consultants commissioned by the Scottish Development Agency gave an oral account today of the evaluation work at the final meeting of the GEAR governing committee, their report is not yet completed. Their findings will have to be considered in due course by all the partners involved in GEAR. Throughout the 10 years of GEAR, it has been made clear that each partner is responsible for the level of its programmes in the area, in the light of the resources available to it overall.