§ MR. ANGUS SUTHERLAND (Sutherland)I beg to ask the First 560 Lord of the Treasury whether the Government have arrived at any decision with regard to the recommendations of the Special Committee appointed to report on the various proposed railway routes to the Western Highlands of Scotland; if so, whether he will inform the House what that decision is; and, if not, when he expects to be in a position to do so?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThis matter has been engaging the attention of the Treasury, and negotiations in regard to one particular Railway are now in an advanced stage. Questions have arisen in the course of the negotiations, partly owing to the inherent difficulties of the case, and partly owing to the very natural view taken by the Railway Company in regard to their interests in the matter.