§ 39. Mr. MacKENZIE LIVINGSTONEasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now prepared to provide the access roads which were promised several years ago by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland to the holders in the township of Reef, in the Island of Lewis?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Sir John Gilmour)As I stated in the reply given to the hon. Member for Govan (Mr. Maclean) on the 2nd July last, what was promised to the Reef holders was a grant towards the construction or repair of certain roads. The contribution offered was originally £520, but this was subsequently increased to £810. This offer is still open for acceptance by the holders.
§ Mr. LIVINGSTONEDoes not the Minister now realise quite clearly that the money offered is quite insufficient in the view of anyone who has knowledge of the subject?
§ Sir J. GILMOURNo, Sir. That is not my opinion.
§ Mr. LIVINGSTONEWill the right hon. Gentleman make further inquiries?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI have given very careful consideration to this question, and in my opinion and that of my Board, it is sufficient.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODHas the right hon. Gentleman never thought it worth his while to visit the Island of Lewis, so as to see for himself the terrible state of affairs there?
§ Sir J. GILMOURYes, Sir, I was there last August.
§ 40. Mr. LIVINGSTONEasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now able to make a statement regarding the possibility of completing the South Loch Erisort Road, which was left unfinished by the Board of Agricul ture for Scotland in the autumn of 1924?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI am unable to hold out any hope of an additional grant being made at the present time towards the cost of constructing the part of this road which was not covered by the previous scheme.
§ Mr. LIVINGSTONEAre the Minister and the Government aware that it is an extremely foolish thing, after spending thousands of pounds, to leave the work unfinished?