§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland why the 10 townships of the Park District of the Island of Lewis, containing 2,000 inhabitants, continue to be without any cart road, whilst road rates are levied upon the ratepayers; whether immediate steps will be taken to provide roads in this district, and other parts of the island, and western 714 mainland of Ross-shire; and whether he is aware that large numbers of children are still unable, during severe weather, to attend school owing to the non-completion of the footpaths commenced last year?
THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (Sir G. TREVELTAN,) Glasgow, BridgetonI may mention that out of last year's grant of £3,000 for roads and footpaths in the County of Ross and Cromarty, £2,000 was given to the Island of Lewis, out of which amount about one - half was allocated to the parish of Lochs, in which the Park District is situated. I have referred the question of the alleged non-completion of the roads to the County Council, who are responsible for the work. A very large sum is to be expended this year on the road between Stornoway and Carlo-way, and money will be taken to complete the work during the next financial year. No special representation has been made to the Scotch Education Department with reference to the children, but inquiry will be made into this.
§ In reply to a further question by Mr. WEIR,
SIR G. TREYELYANsaid: Several thousands of pounds have in recent years been granted by Parliament for roads in the Island of Lewis, and I think the hon. Member should be the last to complain.
§ *MR. WEIRRut is it not a fact that £1.5,000 out of the £17,000 has been expended on a road from Stornoway to Carloway, from which no benefit is derived by those to whom I refer?
§ [No answer was given.]