HC Deb 22 February 1967 vol 741 cc1692-3
8. Mr. Maclennan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for the improvement of transport facilities in the Highlands in the light of the report of the Highland Transport Board; and if he will make a statement.

67. Mr. Grimond

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to publish the report on Highland transport.

Mr. Ross

The final report of the Board, which I expect will be published in April, makes many recommendations covering all forms of transport in the Highlands and Islands. I shall consider the recommendations in the light of the comments of all the interests concerned, and will make a further statement on the subject in due course.

Mr. Maclennan

I welcome my right hon. Friend's reply, but in considering this report will he give serious thought to the possibility of starting a second Highlands roads programme to connect particularly important fishing ports with the main trunk roads, and will he give consideration also to the development of the port of Scrabster, proposals for which are before him at present, both to service incoming industry in the area and to take advantage of the port's proximity to the North Atlantic routes and the routes to Scandinavia?

Mr. Speaker

Order. Supplementary questions must be short.

Mr. Ross

I realise the importance of the detailed schemes to which my hon. Friend has referred, but I suggest that he waits until he sees the actual report before we go further into the question of its recommendations.

Mr. G. Campbell

Does the Secretary of State expect the Highland Transport Board to continue with its work after this report has been published?

Mr. Ross

That is a matter for further consideration in the context of the implementation of the recommendations, through the local authorities or through some other continued link with the special problem, or through the Highland Development Board itself.