HC Deb 23 February 1953 vol 511 cc1726-7
53. Mr. John MacLeod

asked the Minister of Transport to give a list of the road work being carried on at the present time under the Crofter Counties Scheme.

Mr. Braithwaite

The following works are in progress: The reconstruction of the bridges at Strathan, Strathkanaird and Drumrunie on the Ullapool-Drumrunie Road; the improvement of about five miles of the Tarbert-Rodel Road, north of Rodel; and the improvement of the Portree-Staffin road.

Mr. MacLeod

Could not the Minister see that this scheme was restarted? It was a completely false economy to cut this Crofter Counties Scheme, and the Government are ill-advised to follow the misapplied cuts that were made by the previous administration.

Mr. Braithwaite

The works included in my reply represent a total cost of £121,886. About 50 per cent. of this scheme has been completed, and to carry out the remainder would cost between £8 million and £9 million, for which funds are not at present available.

Sir D. Robertson

Does the Minister realise that skilled road men have been paid off in the Highland counties in the last few weeks while essential repairs to dangerous roads remain undone?

Mr. Braithwaite

I will certainly take note of what the hon. Gentleman says.