HC Deb 26 March 1946 vol 421 cc178-9
11. Mr. M. MacMillan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, what progress has been made between his Department and the Ross-shire county council in the negotiations in respect of the proposed pier for Portnaguran, Isle of Lewis, for which a 75 per cent. financial grant was offered before the war.

Mr. Westwood

The Department of Agriculture hope shortly to be in a position to furnish an up to date estimate of the cost of a harbour at Portnaguran. When this has been done it will be for the county council to consider whether they wish to make a fresh application for a grant and what degree of priority to attach to this particular project.

Mr. MacMillan

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this, like the Applecross Road, is a question which has been threshed out over the last 70 or 80 years, and that before the war considerable progress had been made as a first priority job? Will he see that nothing is allowed to stand in the way of what is an essential project for the local inhabitants?

Mr. Westwood

I shall certainly see that all reasonable consideration is given for the purpose of making progress insofar as these schemes are concerned.

Mr. MacMillan

Will the Minister take a new line by doing something unreasonable in this particular matter?

Mr. Westwood

No, Sir.