§ MR. ANGUS SUTHERLANDI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the Government have considered the Report of the Special Committee appointed last Session to inquire into certain schemes for the improvement of railway communication on the western coast of Scotland; what 513 are the intentions of the Government with regard to the recommendations of the Committee in respect of the construction of a railway to Lochinver, on the west coast of Sutherland; and whether the Highland Railway Company have agreed to expend a sum of £200,000 in the construction, maintenance, and working of such line, on condition of obtaining assistance from the Government?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.I am sorry I cannot give a definite answer to these two questions which the hon. Gentleman has put to me. It was only yesterday I had a discussion with the Secretary for Scotland and the Chancellor of the Exchequer as to what steps should be taken in both these matters; and I hope something will be done with regard to both of them in a very brief space of time. But I cannot at present give any definite information on the subject.
§ DR. CLARK (Caithness)Will the right hon. Gentleman be able to give a specific answer to the deputation tomorrow on this point?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI do not know that I can give more definite information on the subject; but before to-morrow I hope to have an opportunity of consulting with my colleagues.