HC Deb 10 November 1953 vol 520 cc767-8
43. Mr. M. MacMillan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much of the £1 million offered by Her Majesty's Government to the Highland local authorities in addition to all other spending and grants in aid for road work represented money allocated already in 1950 but as yet unspent.

Mr. J. Stuart

I announced on 14th July that the local authorities concerned had been asked to take tenders for the St. Catherines-Strachur and Borgie-Naver Bridge roads, which were included in the 1950 programme. Their total cost was then estimated to be about £300,000.

Mr. MacMillan

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware—I rather doubt it—that in fact he said that this was a clear £1 million additional to all other grants in aid for roads in the Highlands? Is he aware that he grossly misled the House of Commons, the local authorities and the people of this country? Does he not feel that he owes an apology in all honesty to the House and to everybody concerned?

Mr. Stuart

I had no intention of misleading the House. If hon. Members refer back to the original announcement I think that it will be seen that I did not do that, but if I did so I certainly apologise.

Mr. MacMillan

On a point of order. The right hon. Gentleman on 14th July did in fact make a statement in this House that Her Majesty's Government were allocating £1 million for roads in the Highlands additional to all normal expenditure. That statement was simply not true and he has had to admit that that is the case. I maintain that Her Majesty's Minister misled this House.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member has disclosed no point of order.

Mr. MacMillan

Is it in order for the Secretary of State for Scotland to come to the House of Commons and make what is in fact a complete mis-statement?

Mr. Speaker

If all matters of misstatement were to be raised as points of order we should have to spend a long time on them in this House.