Charles Walker asks the Secretary of State for Scotland about measures to encourage high-skill industry in Europe to locate to Scotland.

Mr. Charles Walker (Broxbourne) (Con): What specific measures are the Government taking to make Scotland an even more attractive place for doing business to the private sector and, especially, to encourage high-skill industry in Europe to locate to Scotland?

Mr. Darling: The single most important thing is to ensure that we have a stable economy with low interest rates so that firms coming into Scotland can plan ahead for the future. The hon. Gentleman will be aware of the help that the Scottish Executive give on training and supporting companies, when that is necessary. They generally help firms and encourage them to come and invest, and that policy has been hugely successful. As I said a moment ago, we must be mindful of the fact that there are challenges from all over the world, but I am confident that Scotland will continue to do well, and many recent surveys recognise that.

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