DR. MACDONALDI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the Government have now completed their late or present investigations into the requirements of Lewis for 1580 further roads and the improvement of its postal and telegraphic communications; whether any decision has been arrived at in the matter; and if no decision has yet been arrived at, how soon will he be able to inform the House of his intentions on the subject?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe investigations referred to by the hon. Member in regard to roads have relation to the Counties of Ross, Sutherland, and Inverness, and the information asked for has not yet been received from the last-named county. The question will be considered as a whole, when the facts are placed fully before the Government; but it is not possible to name a date at which a definite decision can be arrived at. The hon. Member is, however, no doubt aware that in the meantime a new road between Stornoway and Carloway is being constructed out of the £15,000 already voted for that purpose. In regard to postal communication, the special mail service, as arranged by the Postmaster General and the Secretary for Scotland last year at a cost to the Government of £3,000, will be maintained. In regard to telegraphs, a sum of £1,120 was expended last year on extensions in the Island of Lewis, and it is proposed to devote the sum of £1,000 to be voted this year mainly to extensions in Orkney and Shetland.