§ Sir W. SUTHERLANDasked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the exceptional difficulties of road-making and maintenance in the very extensive and sparsely populated county of Argyll, the admittedly excessive burden of the road rates on the local ratepayers, the many complaints last year from users of the roads as to their bad condition, and the increasing use of these roads by traffic from other districts, he can see his way to increase the Government grants or, at least, order a full inquiry into the present position?
§ Mr. GOSLINGI am well aware of the difficulties peculiar to many of the more sparsely populated districts in Scotland. Assistance in excess of the normal scale has been afforded from the Road Fund during the past three years, and will be again during 1924–25. The county of Argyll has benefited considerably from these special grants. Continual observation is kept on the problem of highway administration in these areas, and should it appear necessary to hold a special inquiry into the circumstances in Argyll, an investigation of the facts will be duly made.