§ SIR J. DEWAR (Inverness)I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if he has received a numerously-signed petition from the district of Staffin and Eastside, in Skye, requesting a grant from the Congested Districts Board to help in the formation of a new road from Staffin to Portree; is he aware that this road will shorten the distance between Portree and the thickly-populated crofting districts of Staffin, Valtos, etc., by about twelve miles and will be of very great service to a large crofting population in the movement of their stock to market and for other purposes; that the road will traverse and open up one of the most fertile districts in the island; that 1498 Lord MacDonald, the proprietor, has given wayleave free of charge, and that the district committee has undertaken to contribute 25 per cent. of the cost and maintain the road on completion; is he also aware that on a former occasion the Congested Districts Board led the people of the district to believe that on these conditions being fulfilled the Board would contribute the remainder of the cost; that the Board now declines or delays to carry this promise into effect, and that this delay is causing dissatisfaction in the district; and will he take steps to induce the Congested Districts Board to carry out the promise they made with the least possible delay.
§ THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (Mr. SINCLAIR,) ForfarshireThe petition has been received and considered by the Congested Districts Board. I am unable to accept the narrative of my hon. friend's Question in all its particulars, especially as to the promise alleged to have been made by the Congested Districts Board. The district clerk was informed in December, 1904, that the Board made no promise; and they have resolved to take no action. In the meantime the Board have offered a grant on the usual terms for an access road to Staffin Pier.