§ 33. Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when work on the construction of the Eoligarry Strand Road in the Isle of Barra is to begin.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonI am unable to say when the construction of this road will begin. It involves an existing classified road and has therefore been under consideration by the Ministry of Transport. I understand that it is unlikely that the Ministry will be able to authorise this work during the current year.
§ Mr. MacMillanIs the Minister aware that this road is the first major reconstruction priority of the Inverness County Council? Is he further aware that it has been ready to start for goodness knows how many years, and that very recently only a question of a small technical adjustment between the Ministry of Transport and the Department of Agriculture was involved? Why has the work been set back now?
§ Mr. MacphersonI cannot add to what I have already answered. This matter will come up for consideration again when my right hon. Friend takes over control of roads in Scotland next April.