§ 15. Mr. Hendryasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many rotary and air-blowing snow ploughs are available for use on roads in Scotland.
§ Dr. Dickson MabonThe Scottish Development Department has 20 rotary blower ploughs for use on trunk roads. Information as to the number held by local authorities is not available.
§ Mr. HendryDoes not the hon. Gentleman agree that that number is inadequate in view of the indiscriminate closure of railway lines by his right hon. Friend the former Minister of Transport, and will he take immediate steps to increase the number?
§ Dr. MabonThat may be true in some parts of Scotland, but not in Aberdeen-shire, which is a well-equipped county. During the next three years I hope to increase the number of departmentally-owned vehicles equipped for heavy ploughing, which should help in the North and north-eastern counties.