§ 20. Mr. John MacLeodasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that recently members of the public had to wait in a queue of 42 cars for three hours before getting across Strome Ferry; and what action he proposes to take to provide a by-pass road.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonMy right hon. Friend is aware that from time to time there are delays at Strome Ferry, but I am unable to say When a by-pass, which would cost over half a million pounds, can be fitted into the road programme.
§ Mr. MacLeodIs the Joint Under-Secretary aware that this is an absolute scandal? [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."] It is totally against the Government's policy of developing tourism in the Highlands, and all authoritive bodies in Scotland believe that this road should by-pass Strome Ferry as soon as possible.
§ Mr. MacphersonAs my hon. Friend knows—and he has been to see my right hon. Friend about this—there has been a considerable improvement in that a six-car ferry was introduced last year. We have not had a whole year to see how that will work, but towards the end of the tourist season my right hon. Friend will be glad to discuss the matter with my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. MacLeodThis is when the six-car ferry is in operation, and it is only the beginning of the season.
§ Mr. MacphersonIt would be quite wrong to give the impression that the degree of waiting to which my hon. Friend has referred is anything like a regular occurrence; it certainly is not. While there are delays, it is only at the peak periods that there are delays of an hour or more.