§ MR. J. G. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government will consider the desirability of providing a guarantee, at an early date, for the extension of the railway between Garve and Ullapool?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir MICHAEL HICKS BEACH,) Bristol, W.Two successive Governments have, as the hon. Member is aware, considered this matter; but neither of them have seen their way to support the proposed line, in view of the adverse reports of the Western Highlands and Islands Commission, 1890, and the subsequent Special Committee of 1891. The Government will, of course, consider any representations that may be laid before them, but I cannot help pointing out that the experience of this Government and their predecessors with regard to the proposed guarantee to the Benavie and Mallaig line, is not such as to encourage them to undertake more proposals of a similar nature in the Highlands.