§ Mr. LIVINGSTONEasked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to a report by the Lewis School Management Committee, after investigating the conditions at the new Board of Agriculture settlement at Orinsay, in the Island of Lewis, with a view of determining whether the children of that township could safely attend the nearest school, in which report the committee averred that, by reason of the condition of the moor and the absence of a footpath promised by the Board of Agriculture, it was dangerous for any of the children to attempt to attend school;
— Orkney. Shetland. Total. Expenses of County Council Election in 1922 £40 8s. 10d. £139 13s. 2d. £180 2s. 0d. Cost per County Council Elector on the Register. 1¼d. 3½d. 2½d. The total cost of the General Election for the Orkney and Shetland constituency in 1922 was £659 4s. 5d., a cost per Parliamentary elector on the register of 6½d.
The foregoing figures are not, however, comparable, because, while the Parliamentary election in 1922 was contested, at the county council election there were no contests in any of the 25 Orkney electoral divisions, and there were no contests in 19 of the 27 Shetland electoral divisions. Moreover, a Parliamentary election involves certain items of expenditure (for example, in connection with the issue of ballot papers to absent voters) which are not involved in county council elections.
2592Wand whether he is now prepared to end this state of affairs by giving such instructions as shall ensure that the children can with safety attend school?
Mr. ADAMSONMy attention has been called to the report referred to. The Board of Agriculture are prepared to assist the holders to provide the path referred to in the question on certain conditions, and as soon as the holders have complied with these conditions the work can proceed.