§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether, in view of the fact that the road between Stornoway and Carloway, which was authorised during the time Lord Lothian was Secretary for Scotland, and at his suggestion was so made as to admit of the construction of a light railway, has recently been surveyed by the Highland Railway Company, and that there is every reason to believe that this Company would undertake to construct and work a light railway between Stornoway and Carloway so soon as the road is complete, will the Government, having regard to the impetus that such a railway would give to the development of the fishing industry on the Atlantic Seaboard of Lewis, consider the expediency of taking steps to secure the completion of the road.
§ *THE LORD ADVOCATEThe road in question was, graded and was provided with bridges which no doubt would carry a light railway if the road were satisfactory completed. But the Secretary for Scotland can give no undertaking at present as to the completion of the road.
§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the Lord Advocate how many miles of the Carloway Road have been completed; how many miles of the road have yet to be 1141 made; and can he state approximately the length of road which will have been completed when the balance of the grant now in hand has been expended?
§ *THE LORD ADVOCATEThe first section for about4¼ miles from Stornoway has been completed. The third and fourth sections, from Braesclete (3¾ miles) and Carloway Harbour (6½ miles) to the junction of those roads, are about three-fourths completed. The second section, from the end of No. 1 section to the junction of roads to Carlo way Harbour and Braesclete(6 miles,) is hardly commenced. The probable total length of road which will be completed when the remainder of the grant is expended on it will not exceed 5½ miles.