§ MR. WEIR (ROSS and Cromarty)I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether advantage is being taken of the fine weather to push forward the harbour works at Portness, Island of Lewis; if not, will steps be taken to carry out this work without further delay; and whether he is aware that, in consequence of the dangerous state of the entrance to this harbour, there are more widows and orphans in this district than in any other part of the United Kingdom?
§ *SIR G. TREVELYANThe Harbour Trustees have hitherto been disappointed from various causes in finding a contractor to undertake the construction of the proposed breakwater at Portness; but I am at present in communication with the Harbour Trustees in reference to another contractor who has tendered, and it is hoped that arrangements will now soon be settled. I regret to say that there have been from time to time many boats lost, and it is the dangerous and exposed character of the coast that makes it so difficult to find a contractor.