§ 37. Mr. MacKENZIE LIVINGSTONEasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has now given further consideration to the question of Petersport Pier, Benbecula, in the Western Isles; and, in view of the recent aggravation of conditions in these islands by the closure of Lochboisdale Pier, whether he is now prepared to take steps to provide the necessary lights?
Mr. ADAMSONThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. It does not appear that the Board of Agriculture, or any of the Departments for which I am responsible, would have statutory power to provide the lights which would apparently be necessary as a minimum for the purpose suggested. Moreover, apart from that difficulty it is not clear from my present information that the provision of those lights by any authority or person would in itself be a sufficient inducement for shipping companies to undertake to give new services, or more frequent services, than exist at present.
§ 38. Mr. LIVINGSTONEasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware of the hardship and loss sustained by the 5,000 people in the Point district of the island of Lewis owing to the lack of a pier and breakwater; and, in view of the fact that this population is dependent on the fishing industry, that such a pier and breakwater is essential to the develop- 1119 ment of their staple industry, and also, in view of the small expenditure on relief works in that district, whether he is prepared to make a grant towards this project?
Mr. ADAMSONI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a similar question on the 27th March, and in which I indicated the reasons why the Board of Agriculture could not offer assistance in this case. I regret that I am unable at the present time to add to that answer.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYCould not this be done if it were in Iraq?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODOr in Egypt?