§ Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received an application from the St. Andrew's harbour trust, setting forth the necessitous condition of the harbour and asking for a grant from the Development Fund, which was forwarded to him by the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury on or about 5th November last; whether similar applications have been received from Anstruther and Pittenweem; whether he will state when the Development Commissioners propose to inspect these harbours; and whether adequate notice of the dates of their visit will be given in order that representations may be prepared to lay before the Commissioners?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Buxton)An application from the St. Andrew's Harbour Trustees for a grant from the Development Fund 1033 was received from the Treasury on the 7th November last. Similar applications from Anstruther and Pittenweem have also been received. I am at present in communication with the Secretary for Scotland with regard to these applications, but am unable to state what action will be taken by the Development Commissioners when the applications are before them. There has been and will be no avoidable delay on the part of the Board of Trade in this matter.
§ Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there has been a delay of five months with regard to this application, and also that the Development Commissioners are inspecting ports to the north of Fife at this moment?
§ Mr. BUXTONI do not think there has been any avoidable delay.