§ 19. Mr. Grimondasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to 1169 be able to give a decision on the schemes for the development of the Scalloway-Trondra-Burra Isle area of Shetland.
Mr. McNeilTechnical reports on this proposal will be completed shortly. They will be considered in conjunction with the Advisory Panel on the Highlands and Islands, and a decision will be taken as quickly as possible.
§ Mr. GrimondMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman two questions? First, will he do his best to expedite the matter, which has been dragging on, I think, for some time? Second, can he say whether both the scheme for the causeway and the scheme for an extension of the Blackness pier at the Isle of Scalloway are regarded as alternatives or as separate schemes?
Mr. McNeilI think it will be found that the two schemes, the one at Blackness and the other the causeway, are mutually exclusive.
§ Mr. J. J. RobertsonWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that there is a very valuable fishing fleet in this area which, with a new type of boat, has not adequate safe harbour facilities, and that a causeway of 500 feet from Trondra to the other side would provide such a safe harbour? Will he give urgent attention to this matter in view of the possibility of unemployment in the area?