§ Mr. MACQUISTENasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now in a position and has the necessary information to enable him to under take the repair and reconstruction and, in certain cases, the erection of piers or jetties and the dredging of the berths at the following places in the West Highlands, and to obtain the necessary grants from the unemployment funds at the disposal of the Lord Privy Seal to enable him to do so, namely: Ardgour, Ardfern, Aultbea, Baden Tarbet, Ballachulish quarries pier, Bruichlad- 1737W dich in Islay, Bunessan in Mull, Castlebay, Isle of Coll, Easdale, Fort William, Gairloch, Gigha, Iona, Lismore, Lochalsh, Lochboisdale, Lochinver, Lochmaddy, Mallaig, Mingary, Onich, Port Askaig, Port Ellen, Portree, Salen in Loch Sunart, Stornoway, Strontian in Loch Sunart, West Loch Tarbert, Tayvallich and Tobermory in Mull; and whether he is aware that in cases where the piers are privately owned the owners are willing to hand them over to the local authorities, who are also willing, if given grants to put them in order, to thereafter maintain them as part of the road, with the appropriate assistance from the Road Fund as in the case of the roads?
Mr. ADAMSONI have general information regarding the condition of existing piers and harbours and also regarding representations made as to the places mentioned in the question. These are under consideration and as soon as a decision has been reached I will communicate with the hon. and learned Member.