HC Deb 02 March 1938 vol 332 cc1108-9
67. Mr. Malcolm MacMillan

asked the Minister of Transport when work on the Strond Road scheme in the Island of Harris is to begin?

The Minister of Transport (Mr. Burgin)

Quite shortly, I hope, Sir.

Mr. MacMillan

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the question more adequately by telling us what he means by "shortly," in view of the fact that this road was to begin "shortly" for over 10 years?

68. Mr. M. MacMillan

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that some of the most important roads in the island of Harris are un classified; and whether, in view of their being of equal importance with many other county roads which are classified, he will take steps to put them on the same footing for all purposes?

Mr. Burgin

No, Sir. There are just over 50 miles of classified road in Harris, and I am not satisfied that the remaining 24 miles of public roads in the island are of a character to require classification.

Mr. MacMillan

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that all sorts of silly little roads are put down as classified roads simply because they lead to the back doors of people who are or were on the county council of Inverness, and that many of those roads are not of great importance in comparison with these other roads which are left as unclassified?

Mr. Burgin

This particular proposal, which includes roads like the Kyles-Scalpay road, has been under consideration before, and I cannot find that there is any evidence which would justify its classification.

Mr. MacMillan

Does not the Minister think it a sufficiently good case that other roads of much less importance have been classified for years, and does he not think it all very unjust?

69. Mr. M. MacMillan

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has con sidered representations made to him regarding grants for Highland and Island parish roads to the local authorities; whether he is considering these requests favourably; and, in view of the primitive condition of many of these roads, whether he will take early steps in the matter?

Mr. Burgin

I have no power to make grants to parish councils; and grants towards the maintenance of all unclassified roads in counties were discontinued by the Local Government Acts, 1929. Where, however, the works are warranted by the prospective through traffic, I am prepared to consider applications from county councils for grants in respect of the reconstruction and improvement of parish roads which the county council are prepared to adopt as county roads.

Mr. MacMillan

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that his argument that there is not much traffic on these roads is only true because they are not fit to bear traffic, nor even for the most hardened pedestrians?