asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the new lime subsidy scheme penalises Highland limestone quarries and favours English shippers of limestone; and if he will take steps to remove this cause of dissatisfaction.

I have nothing to add to the reply which my hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member on 9th December.

Is the Secretary of State aware that in previous seasons more than 5,000 tons of lime have gone from Ullapool—giving employment there—to Caithness during the liming season, but that now those concerned are undercut by about 5s. a ton, due entirely to the depot subsidy given to English lime landed at Wick? Is he aware that if this sort of thing goes on it will severely tarnish his image as a progressive Secretary of State for Scotland?

Well, we must not let that happen. But I can assure the hon. Gentleman that he is being far too gloomy about the prospects of the Scottish limo industry. I know that the cutoff at 100 miles has affected one of the quarries in his area, and there is also the question of the depot contribution. As a matter of fact, I spoke about this, and was one of the only Scottish Members who did speak about this, when it was introduced. We have promised to look at this matter in respect of its operational working. Beyond that, I am not prepared to go at the moment.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how much of the Ullapool production is being, or has been, delivered outside the range of the cut-off? The bulk of it is, I suspect, delivered inside 100 miles.

The bulk of it is delivered inside a range of 100 miles, as the hon. Gentleman rightly says. I shall be glad to give him the actual figure if he puts down a Question.