§ Mr. MACPHERSONasked the Secretary for Scotland whether his Department erected the Badentarbet Pier at Achiltibuie, Ross-shire, upon the condition that the county council of Ross would keep it in repair; whether he has had it recently examined; whether it was found to be in a state of disrepair; and, if so, what action he proposes to take to make the county council fulfil its part of the agreement?
Mr. McKINNON WOODUpon the application of the county council a Grant of £1,110 was made under the powers of 1427W the Western Highlands and Islands Act, 1891, towards the erection of this pier, which cost approximately £1,400. It is a statutory condition that the county council shall maintain and repair piers receiving such Grants, and the Act confers power, and imposes a duty, on the county council to levy a rate upon all lands and heritages in the county up to a limit of 1d. per £ to meet any deficiency in the funds available for these purposes. It was reported to the Secretary for Scotland in 1909 that this pier was in a state of disrepair, and the attention of the county council was duly called to the fact. Since that date the Secretary for Scotland has been in correspondence with the county council with a view to induce that body to fulfil their statutory obligations, and, if necesary, to impose a rate for the purpose, but so far without success. The position taken up by the county council is that the remedial works now necessary are beyond what can fairly be classed as works of maintenance and repair, and they have applied for a Grant towards the construction of a new pier. They have been informed that the Secretary for Scotland cannot accept their contention or support their application, and, further, that continued failure to discharge their obligations as regards this pier may preclude the Secretary for Scotland from approving future Grants to the county council for similar purposes. I am awaiting a reply from the county council to my last letter.