§ Mr. STEPHENasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in view of the purchase by the Government of the road from Aberfoyle to the Trossachs, if he will state the cost, the name of the previous owner, and the rateable value of the road on which its owner paid rates, and how many men are likely to be employed on reconstructing the road?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONThe first part of my hon. Friend's question seems to be based on a misunderstanding. What is proposed is not the purchase of this private road by the Government, but the acquisition of the road and certain accompanying rights by the county council of Perthshire for the purpose of constructing a public road with the aid of grants. Part of the road belongs to the Montrose Estates, Limited, and the remainder to the Earl of Ancaster. The arrangements are not yet complete, and I cannot, therefore, give detailed information at present. I may say, however, that it is expected that the construction of the road will give employment to some hundreds of men for several months.