§ MR. FRASER-MACKINTOSH (Inverness-shire)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the Committee of Inquiry recently appointed to examine and report upon the lines of railway to the north-west mainland of Scotland best suited for developing the resources of the west highlands and islands was suggested by the Treasury or by the Secretary for Scotland; whether he is aware that it has been published as by authority that the Committee, before making any personal examination, are to meet and confer with only one of the present Railway Companies interested; and whether he will lay Copy of the Latter of Instruction to the Committee upon the Table of the House?
§ *THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH,) Strand, WestminsterSince the Report of the Commission on the Western Highlands and Islands of Scotland various schemes for developing the resources of that district have been brought forward, and the Treasury and the Scotch Office thought it best to refer these schemes to an independent Committee for report. I am not aware what steps the Committee intend to take in order to carry out the investigation entrusted to them, and I cannot interfere in any way with their proceedings, as we desire a perfectly impartial Report. I do not think it advisable to lay on the Table a Copy of the Instructions to the Committee, but I am quite willing to show them to the hon. Member privately, if he wishes to see them.