§ Mr. J. G. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the fact that the construction of the Carloway Road, in the Island of Lewis, has been stopped for some time owing to lack of funds: whether, with the view of alleviating the distress which exists in this district at the present time, steps will be taken to facilitate the completion of this work; and, whether the Government will consider the desirability of constructing a light railway or tram line, as projected by the late Government?
§ THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (Sir GEORGE TREVELYAN,) Glasgow, BridgetonAn Act of Parliament passed in 1891 allotted £15,000 to defray the cost of constructing the road between Carloway and Stornoway, and other roads in the Island of Lewis. Under the Act the money was to be paid to the County Council, which was charged with the execution of the roads. In 1893 the County Council entrusted the work to a contractor. This contractor became bankrupt last Autumn, and immediately afterwards the engineer of the District Committee of the County Council resigned his post. Since then disputes have arisen between the County Council and the contractor's trustees, and these are now under arbitration. Till the arbiter has given his award the work cannot go on. The Government does not consider it desirable to lay down a light railway on this road, nor, as far as I am aware, did the late Government ever announce any such intention.