§ 38. Mr. FELLasked the Secretary for Scotland what sums have been paid by the Government during each of the past ten years towards the construction of harbour works at Wick; and if any further sums have been promised to that object?
§ 53. Lord NINIAN CRICHTON-STUARTasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he will state whether any harbour works are to be undertaken at Wick this year?
Mr. McKINNON WOODI am informed that a Grant of £20,000 was promised in June, 1905, for the purpose mentioned by the hon. Member, and was issued in instalments of £10,000 in the financial year 1910–11, £5,000 in 1911–12, and £5,000 in 1912–13; and that a loan of £70,000 was granted by the Public Works Loan Board in 1905, and advanced by instalments of £30,000 in the financial year 1908–9, £15,000 in 1909–10, and £25,000 in 1910–11. A loan of £15,000 from the Development Fund was promised in the financial year 1911–12. An advance of £5,000 on account of this loan was made in 1912, but the conditions required for the repayment of the remaining instalments have not been fulfilled, and the loan has accordingly been held to be in abeyance; while the whole position of Wick Harbour, including some difficult engineering problems, has been under reconsideration for more than a year, and so remains. No further sum has been promised, but the Development Commissioners indicated to the Harbour Trust in May last that, subject to specified conditions, they would be prepared to recommend additional contributions from the Development Fund. In the circumstances I am unable to say whether any harbour works will be undertaken at Wick this year or not.
§ Mr. PRINGLECan my right hon. Friend say, with reference to the Grant 760 sanctioned to June, 1905, at whose solicitation the Grant was obtained, and whether it was in anticipation of the General Election of the following year?
Mr. McKINNON WOODI cannot say anything about the anticipation of the General Election, nor can I say, without inquiry, at whose solicitation the Grant was made.
MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEWas not the reason that one Grant was withheld—I forget the exact one—that the Harbour Commissioners were bound to use the money on another part of the harbour to prevent the whole harbour being destroyed; and is it not unfair in consequence of that to give no advance?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThe action of the Harbour Commissioners was irregular in that they used money for repairs which they ought to have used for new construction. The Treasury take exception to that.
§ Mr. MITCHELL-THOMSONCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether these loans carry any interest; if so, at what rate?