§ Mr. LIVINGSTONEasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make inquiries into the question of the construction of a road between the new settlement and the main public road in the island of North Uist?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe question of constructing a road between Lochportain and the main North Uist road was fully considered before the settlements on the Newton estate were formed, and again upon recent applications by the holders. Owing, however, to the nature of the country, provision of a roadway (or even a footpath) would involve the construction in its three miles of length of at least two bridges or "clachans" across tidal waterways, and the cost in present circumstances is regarded as prohibitive.