§ MR. YOUNGERI beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland, in what form and to what amount the Government subsidised the extension of the Highland Railway from Strome Ferry to Kyle of Lochalsh, and the extension of the West Highland Railway from Fort William to Mallaig.
§ MR. RUNCIMANAs regards the railway from Strome Ferry to Kyle of Lochalsh, a Supplementary Estimate for £45,000 was voted by the House in 1898 684 as a grant-in-aid to the Highland Railway Company in respect of the construction (i.) Of this railway; and (ii.) of the piers at Kyle and at Kyleakin in Skye. (House of Commons Paper, No. 56, of 1898.) As regards the second part of the Question, the Treasury were authorised by the West Highland Railway Guarantee Act, 1896 (59 & 60 Viet., c. 58), to guarantee for a period of thirty years from the date of the opening of the railway for passenger traffic payment of interest at the rate of 3 per cent. per annum on the capital of £260,000 raised by the Railway Company for the construction of the railway from Banavie to Mallaig. Under this guarantee there has been paid to 31st March last the sum of £20,860 in all.