HC Deb 26 March 1946 vol 421 cc176-7
5. Captain MacLeod

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what prospects there are for the county council of Ross and Cromarty getting a sufficient grant to enable them to proceed with the Applecross Road.

Mr. Westwood

I discussed the question of a grant for the proposed Applecross Road with representatives of the county council of Ross and Cromarty at a meeting on 25th January last, I then promised that, if the county council were prepared to consider a contribution of 15 per cent. of the cost, I would examine the project afresh in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of War Transport to see whether Government grants could be offered for the remainder of the cost.

Captain MacLeod

Does the Minister realise that they had attempted to get a grant for this road some 45 years ago, and that these people are completely cut off?

Mr. Westwood

I do not know of any grant having been made over 45 years ago; that was a little while before I entered this House. I can assure the hon. and gallant Member, however, that there has never been any offer on the part of the county council to pay any contribution towards the cost of the road and I had thought I had made some progress when, at that meeting, I got the representatives to agree to recommend to their own county council a contribution of 15 per cent. I am awaiting the result of their recommendation to the county council.

Mr. Malcolm MacMillan

Is the Minister aware that this is just one more example of this county council having been offered a relatively generous grant and still penalising its own people by not accepting it?

Mr. Westwood

I cannot say that at the moment, in view of the fact that the county council in that area meets only every three months I am now awaiting the result of the recommendation to the county council.