§ 25. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that in many parts of Scotland ferries are of special importance as a link between highways on either side of a waterway and that their absence retards the full development of the areas concerned; and how many of the recommendations applying to Scotland of the 1947 Committee on Ferries in Great Britain have been implemented.
§ Mr. Henderson StewartMy right hon. Friend is aware of the importance of ferries in many parts of Scotland. The Ferries Committee's Report contained sixteen recommendations dealing specifically with Scottish ferries. He understands that improvements have since been carried out at most of the ferries in question.
§ Mr. RankinI take it from that Answer that all the recommendations have not yet been implemented. Is the Minister aware that if he does not hurry and carry out all the provisions of this Report, he will have to meet heavy expenditure for bridges because many of the ferries will soon be out of date?
§ Mr. StewartThat is quite true. There is something to be done here yet.