§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, under The Railways (Ireland) Act. 1896, the Treasury is under no restriction as to the amount of an advance where, the proposed railway is situated wholly or mainly in a congested districts county; and, in view of the fact that, under the existing Act, it is not practicable to secure the construction of light railways in the Highland crofting counties, will the Government consider the expediency of amending the Light Railways Act, 1896, so as to enable the Treasury to give grants to light railways in the crofting counties without the limit imposed by Section 5 of the Light Railways Act.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURNo, Sir, I am not prepared to propose an alteration of the Act in the direction suggested. I am not satisfied that the Amendment referred to by the hon. Member is necessary in order to enable Light Railways to be made in the High- lands.
§ MR. WEIRIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that not a single light railway has been constructed in the Highlands under the Light Railways Act?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURNo. Sir.