HC Deb 21 May 1931 vol 252 cc2196-7
51. Sir R. HAMILTON

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is now able to make any statement with regard to the applications for piers in Orkney which have been forwarded to the Department of Agriculture?

Mr. WESTWOOD

I assume that the hon. Member has in mind the investigations regarding various piers in Orkney made by the Inter-Departmental Committee on Piers and Harbours and would refer him to my reply of the 4th instant to the hon. and gallant Member for Caithness and Sutherland (Sir A. Sinclair), in which I said that I thought that legislation will be required before the question of piers can be comprehensively dealt with, but that in the meantime I am exploring the possibility of dealing with more urgent cases so far as financial and legal difficulties will permit.

Sir R. HAMILTON

Will the hon. Gentleman say when that exploration is likely to come to an end?

Mr. WESTWOOD

I cannot say when the exploration will come to an end, but my right hon. Friend no later than the last Recess paid a special visit to many of the piers and harbours so as to decide in his own mind the question of priority.

Sir R. HAMILTON

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that we are still waiting to hear the results of that visit?