HC Deb 06 August 1894 vol 28 cc146-7
DR. MACGREGOR

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, considering that the West Highland Railway (Mallaig Extension) Bill has now received the Royal Assent, and that all the conditions imposed upon the promoters by the Treasury have been fulfilled, he is now prepared to introduce a Bill empowering the Treasury to give the guarantee in regard to the capital to which they are pledged, and upon which the construction of the line depends?

SIR W. HARCOURT

I am afraid it would be impossible to introduce a Bill for this purpose during this Session, but I will take care that the matter is duly considered before next Session.

DR. MACGREGOR

Has the right hon. Gentleman received a Memorial from the Commissioners of Fort William on this subject?

SIR W. HARCOURT

Yes, Sir.

DR. MACGREGOR

May I ask whether, in view of the failure of the fishing on the West Coast, and the probable destitution which will follow during the winter and spring, the right hon. Gentleman will consider the matter in order to enable the Railway Company to go on with their operations, and thus provide work for the people?

MR. GOSCHEN) (St. George's, Hanover Square

May I ask whether the Government will take the usual course of carrying out the undertaking of the late Government; whether it is merely a matter of time which determined the question of not introducing the Bill; and whether the House were to gather that, if an understanding is arrived at that the Bill will not be opposed, the right hon. Gentleman will undertake to bring it in this Session?

SIR W. HARCOURT

Of course, we shall carry out the undertaking given by our predecessors in the matter.