§ Mr. LIVINGSTONEasked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the hardship experienced by the inhabitants of the township of Griminish, Benbecula, in the Western Isles, owing to the fact that the only fuel available has to be transported over dangerously boggy ground; whether representations have been made to him by the landholders for a grant of £1,000 to construct a road; and whether he is prepared to take steps to remove this hardship?
Mr. ADAMSONI am informed that the landholders of Griminish recently made representations to the Board of Agriculture and applied for a grant of £1,000 for the construction of a road to their peat lands. The Board do not, as a rule, make grants for peat roads, and their available funds are fully committed in respect of works of greater importance and urgency. They are, therefore, unable to offer any assistance in this case. I can only suggest that if the local road authority consider that there is a case for constructing this road for the purpose of relieving unemployment and are prepared to contribute their share of the cost and to accept responsibility for future maintenance, the local authority might make application to the Unemployment Grants Committee for assistance on the usual terms and conditions.