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Mr. Macdonald
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the economic prospects of the highlands and islands. [5234]
Mr. Kynoch
The highlands and islands area continues to benefit from the Government's careful economic policies. These have helped to reduce unemployment in the highland and islands area by 1,940 between November 1994 and November 1995 and have encouraged new enterprise. Highlands and Islands Enterprise continues to promote economic development and it is estimated that in 1995–96 HIE will have invested some £20 million in highland businesses, attracting around £64 million in private investment and creating or securing 3,000 jobs.