§ Sir A. SINCLAIRasked the First Commissioner of Works, as representing the Secretary for Scotland, whether he is aware that a number of privately owned piers and harbours round the coast of Caithness and of Sutherland have fallen into a serious state of disrepair; that the county councils are in several eases prepared to take over these harbours forthwith, but that they are inhibited by Statute from so doing unless a Government grant, however small, is forthcoming in each case; and whether he will make such grants in all cases where the county council considers itself justified, in the interests, not only of the fishermen concerned, but of the ratepayers in the county, in taking over a particular pier or harbour?
§ Sir J. BAIRDThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. No cases have been brought to the notice of my Noble Friend in which the absence of a Government grant, however small, has been shown to involve a statutory inhibition to the taking over of the works by either of the county councils. If particulars of any such cases are furnished, he will consider them.