§ 5. Mr. T. Johnstonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether inquiries have now been made in the Island of Rum regarding billeting arrangements for children and mothers to be evacuated from the vulnerable areas in the event of war; and whether the local authority was afforded reasonable facilities of access for its investigators?
§ Mr. ColvilleIt was decided to exclude from the evacuation survey the whole of the island districts of Inverness-shire, and accordingly the county council were not asked to make inquiries in the Island of Rum.
§ Mr. JohnstonWhy should this island, a close preserve of one proprietor, have been exempted from these billeting arrangements?
§ Mr. ColvilleIt was not confined to this island. The islands of Eigg, Muck and Canna, which are adjacent, were not examined for the reason I stated in my answer.
§ Mr. JohnstonIs it not a fact that these three islands are also close preserves of a single proprietor, and what good reason exists at the Scottish Office why the particular preserves of a few proprietors should be exempted?
§ Mr. ColvilleThe question of ownership was not a determining factor. It is a question of the remoteness of the islands. I am considering the results of the survey which I have received, and if it should be necessary to consider evacuation to these islands, I shall not hesitate to do so.