HC Deb 01 November 1955 vol 545 cc834-5
35. Mr. Grimond

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give an assurance that the programme of roads and piers in the crofting counties will be maintained in full.

Mr. Henderson Stewart

As regards the programme of roads in the crofting counties, I would refer the hon. Member to the reference to the roads programme made by my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in his statement on 26th October.

As regards piers, works in progress will continue, and new schemes which are urgently necessary to meet the needs of the area will be considered as they arise in the light of my right hon. Friend's statement.

Mr. Grimond

I hope that when these new schemes are considered the great need for piers will be kept very much in mind. As to roads, may I ask the Minister categorically to confirm not only that the schemes already approved will go forward, but that the amounts of money announced by the previous Government and by this Government as being available for Highland development are still available, and will be expended upon roads within the period already suggested?

Mr. Stewart

As the hon. Member knows, what the Chancellor said was this: My right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation is going ahead with the roads programme which has been announced. …"—[OFFICIAL, REPORT, 26th October, 1955; Vol. 545, c. 218.] As I understand it, the hon. Member was talking about what had been announced in one form or another. Therefore, I think he can take it that there will be no change.