§ Sir JOHN DEWARasked the Lord Advocate, in view of the condition of the harbour at Mallaig and the necessity for the completion of the breakwater, will he consider the expediency of communicating with the West Highland Railway Company on the subject, so as to ensure the work being proceeded with without further delay, especially bearing in mind that it was always understood that the company would construct the breakwater so soon as the railway was finished?
§ The LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. Ure)I understand that the statutory power to construct the breakwater referred to by the hon. Baronet lapsed in 1901 and that the North British Railway Company who now own the West Highland Railway take the view that they cannot afford to expend further capital on a breakwater. I am informed by the North British Company that there was never any understanding on their part nor, so far as they are aware, on the part of the West Highland Company that the breakwater would be constructed.