§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that Dr. Bruce, the medical officer of health for Ross and Cromarty, expresses the opinion, in his report just issued, that the sanitation of the townships throughout the Island of Lewis is so extremely unsatisfactory that the public health problem is quite insoluble unless by a money grant from Parliament, with the expenditure supervised by Government surveyors; and will he state whether this recommendation has been under the consideration of the Local Government Board.
§ MR. SINCLAIRI am aware of the expression of opinion by Dr. Bruce. As the hon. Member is aware, the whole question of the condition of the Lewis is receiving the earnest attention of Govern- 1304 ment and a detailed investigation is at present being made. Until it is completed I am unable to indicate what steps it may be possible or necessary to take to remedy the distressing conditions which have for some time been prevalent in the Lewis.