§ 13. Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when his Department intends to provide a safe and adequate road to the community at Eoligarry, Isle of Barra, in place of the present tidal sand-track.
§ Mr. Henderson StewartThis road would link two sections of Class III road and would be built by Inverness County Council as the highway authority. I regret that in view of other competing demands on the funds available it has not yet been possible to authorise a grant towards its cost, but if the county council puts it forward as a case of special urgency my right hon. Friend will do his best to approve it in the near future.
§ Mr. MacMillanWhy is the whole of the onus laid on the county council in view of the fact that this is a responsibility of the Department of Agriculture on one of its estates? Cannot this work be undertaken as part of ordinary estate management? Is it not part of the work of the Department and not of the county council?
§ Mr. StewartIt is not quite that. This is part of the programme for which the county council has responsibility. There are not enough funds available to enable it to do everything that it wants done, but if it puts this work on a higher priority we shall be prepared to play.