§ MR. JOHN DEWAR (Inverness)I beg to ask the Lord-Advocate, as representing the Secretary for Scotland, whether he is aware that the Congested Districts Board promised the Skye District Committee that they would give a contribution of 75 per cent, towards the cost of the construction of a road to connect the town of Portree with the populous Staffin District, provided that the road was placed on the list of county highways, and maintained out of the public rates; and that, although the county council at their meeting in October last gave the requisite undertaking, and the district committee have guaranteed the balance of the cost of the road, the Congested Districts Board now fail to carry out their part of the arrangement; and, if so, will he communicate with the Board in order that the promised grant may be made.
MR. SCOTT DICKSONThe hon. Member has been misinformed when he states that the Congested Districts Board promised that they would contribute to the cost of this road. They stated that an assurance as to the provision from local sources of the usual proportion of cost and as to maintenance by the statutory road authority were essential preliminaries to inquiry and consideration. The Congested Districts Board have now intimated that, in view of the state of their funds and the many claims on their resources, they do not see their way at present to consider, in the interests of those living in the congested districts, whether the large expenditure involved would be justified.