ABSTRACT
The prime industries of coal and pig iron production spawned the steel, engineering and shipping industries, all of which became major employers. When the traditional and heavy industries waned in the 1930s during the depression, the government introduced an industrial policy for regional economic growth which would encourage and direct new manufacturing industries offering new employment to specific regional areas. The government which periodically changes its regional industrial policy, made a major change in 1975 when it created the Scottish Development Agency with extensive powers for industrial and economic regeneration matters. The administration, control and monitoring of the property portfolio and its total management had been carried out up to 1985 inhouse by the Scottish Development Agency in accordance with the financial guidelines laid down and altered from time to time by the Treasury. As the Enterprise Company Network matured at this stage decisions were taken on the way ahead for issues such as the management of assets.
