HC Deb 28 February 1939 vol 344 cc1076-7
55. Mr. Kennedy

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can account for the alarming fall in population and agricultural resources disclosed in the report of the Highlands and Islands Committee; and whether any action is contemplated for the extension of marketing facilities, means of transport, electric power, forestry, quarrying, and other industries through the use of available water power as a means of providing supplementary incomes for the crofting population?

Mr. Colvilles

The right hon. Gentleman will be aware that the report of the Highlands and Islands Committee indicated that the fall in the Highland population has been very small in recent years. As regards action on the report, I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply which I gave on 7th of February to a question by the hon. Member for East Fife (Mr. Henderson Stewart).

56. Mr. Kennedy

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered a resolution from the Skye District Council regarding the recent visit of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to the Island of Skye; and what reply has been sent?

Mr. Colville

I have not received any resolution from the Skye District Council on this subject.

57. Mr. Leonard

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can make available the results of the investigations recently conducted into land settlement, crofting, and fishing in Skye?

Mr. Colville

I assume that the hon. Member has in mind the inquiries carried out in Skye by the Highlands and Islands Committee of the Scottish Economic Committee. The report of the Committee has been published, and deals with the Highlands and Islands as a whole.

Mr. Leonard

Did not the Undersecretary recently take a five days' tour of the Island of Skye, and, if so, will he say whether he gathered any information in the course of his investigation?

Mr. Colville

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the investigation that was carried out by the Highlands and Islands Committee. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State was recently on the fisheries patrol ship for two or three days while it was carrying out the patrol.

Mr. Leonard

I endeavoured to make quite clear the object of the question, but I could not get it passed by the Table.