§ * SIR C. DILKEOn behalf of the hon. Member for South Somerset, Mr. E. Strachey, I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, whether he is now aware that the West Highland Railway Bill will be opposed at all its further stages; and, in view of his statement that if this Bill proved to be contentious it would not be pressed, do the Government intend to proceed any further this Session with it?
§ MR. WEIRBefore the right hon. Gentleman answers that question, may I ask whether, seeing that the only opposition to the West Highland Railway Guarantee Bill comes from the Highland Railway Company ["No, no!"], and that the people of the West Highlands and Islands are unanimously in favour of railway extension, and that the Mallaig Railway will shorten the journey between the Island of Lewis and Glasgow by 12 hours, the Government will consider the advisability of pressing the Bill forward through all its stages this Session?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR, Manchester, E.)The public statement of objection to this Bill does not correspond with the version given by the hon. Gentleman, and I am unwilling to believe that any hon. Member is actuated in his public conduct by motives which he does not avow to the House. With regard to the question on the Paper, I have to say that it is with profound regret that the Government recognise that the determined opposition which has been exhibited in the past and announced for the future in connection with this Bill, makes it absolutely impossible to pass the Bill during the present Session. The responsibility for the defeat of the measure must rest, and rest entirely and solely, with gentlemen who have initiated and carried out that opposition, and it is on their shoulders alone that the blame for any distress in 1462 the Western Highlands consequent on the rejection or deferring of this measure must be placed.
§ MR. DALZIELI wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the fact that this Bill proposes a subsidy to the extent of a quarter of a million to one of the largest and wealthiest corporations in the United Kingdom—namely, the North British Railway Company—and whether, in view of the fact that this proposal was first brought forward five years ago, he considers it reasonable to complain of Members regarding this Bill as contentious.
§ * THE SPEAKEROrder, order! That is a matter of opinion entirely.
§ MR. FLYNNMay I ask whether the directors of this railway company are all prominent supporters of the present Government?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYI know nothing about that.