§ Mr. MACPHERSONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport if he is aware that in 1913–14 the Government of the day sanctioned and assisted the Dingwall and Cromarty Light Railway; that the railway was started and 4½ miles of it had been laid when war broke out; that the work was then stopped and after a time the rails that were laid were taken to France; that this railway is still a necessity for the fishing and agricultural community in that part; that there is unemployment in the district; and will he take all possible steps to get the railway restarted and completed?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ASHLEYI am aware that this project was sanctioned and the work started before the War. During the War the permanent-way materials were required for military purposes, but, as the right hon. Member knows, the company were reimbursed for this material and for the cost of relaying. The conditions which it would be necessary to fulfil before the Government could consider the question of increasing its contribution have already been communicated to the promoters, but, 3181W so far as I am aware, the local financial support necessary before any grant could be considered is not as yet forthcoming.