§ 43. Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the Secretary of State for Air what new roads have been constructed, or reconstructed, what road works are now being carried out, and what road schemes are to be abandoned by his Department in the area of the South Uist Guided Missiles Range and training ground.
Mr. C. I. Orr-EwingAbout 5½miles of the road from Loch Carnan to Greagorry have been reconstructed. No other road works have been put in hand. We had planned to build a new loop road to the firing site from the Loch Boisdale-Benbecula Road—A.865—with a causeway across Loch Bee. It will now be possible, however, to manage simply with a spur to the southern end of the firing site. This will be provided by improving and extending the existing road through West Geirinish village.
§ Mr. MacMillanIs the Minister aware that one of the considerations that induced the Inverness County Council and other local authorities to withdraw their objections to the rocket range in the first place was that the Ministry undertook to make good any dislocation of plans relating to roads, water supplies and schools for the local and new incoming population but that the Ministry has now abruptly pulled out and abandoned the range, completely dislocating the planning of that area in the matter of water supplies, roads and so on, without making any compensation to the local authorities in respect of it? Will he and the Secretary of State for Scotland consult the Departments concerned to see that these plans and schemes are brought up to date?
Mr. Orr-EwingPerhaps the hon. Member will write to my right hon. Friend giving details of the dislocations which he feels have taken place. We will certainly examine them most carefully.