§ Sir JOHN DEWARasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that negotiations between the directors of the Invergarry and Fort Augustus Railway Company and the directors of the North British Railway Company have come to a deadlock and that traffic on the Invergarry Railway has been suspended; if he is aware of the sum offered by the North British Railway Company for the line; and if, under the circumstances, he will endeavour, by arbitration or otherwise, to get the two companies to arrive at an agreement so that this well-equipped railway may not become derelict?
Mr. ROBERTSONI am aware that the Invergarry and Fort Augustus Railway was closed last month, after lengthy negotiations between the parties concerned, in which the Board of Trade assisted so far as they were able. I fear the Board have for the moment exhausted their good offices in the matter, and cannot usefully intervene further.
§ Sir J. DEWARWill the hon. Gentleman consider whether legislation could be introduced to meet a case of this kind?
§ Mr. WATTWill the Government consider the advisability of buying this railway, and thus beginning the nationalisation of railways?