HC Deb 18 April 1950 vol 474 cc19-20
35. Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will, despite the financial stringency, consider a larger annual grant for road making and improvement in the seven crofter counties, in view of the urgent need for this basic facility throughout the whole Highland area.

Mr. McNeil

I regret that I cannot consider any increase on the amount of £120,000 included in the Estimates for the current year for public works under the provisions of the Congested Districts (Scotland) Act, 1897. The existing provision, however, enables greater progress to be made with works of this character than was made before the war when the highest provision in any year was £30,000.

Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the amount proposed is not enough to cover the more urgent needs of the Isle of Skye, let alone the seven crofter counties, and cannot he do something about taking seriously the problem of roads in the Highlands? Could not he take steps, for example, to see that some of the money from the Road Fund is available for this purpose?

Mr. McNeil

I quite understand that there are conflicting priorities in this area, but I cannot accept the suggestion that the problem is not being taken seriously. I repeat that this is four times more than was voted in any year before the war.

Mr. John MacLeod

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that it is impossible for any district council to put its roads in order so that they may be taken over by county councils; that there are 200 communities without any roads at all in the Highlands, and that very special treatment must be given to the Highland region?

Mr. McNeil

I agree that this is a special problem and special provision, not perhaps as much as anyone would like, but special provision, has been made for this situation.

Sir David Robertson

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the roads in Sutherland are in a disgraceful condition and that there are many unemployed road workers; and would not it be better to put them to work rather than to keep them on the dole?

Mr. McNeil

I know the roads of Sutherland intimately and love them as much as, no doubt, does the hon. Gentleman. If he has any practical proposition to offer, I shall be glad to listen.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Will the Minister give an assurance that no special privileges will be given to reactionary local authorities who have neglected their responsibilities in the past?