§ Mr. KIRKWOODasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the usefulness of the steamer service in the West of Scotland, which constitutes the road to the islands and which has a new fleet of steamers, is being handicapped by the piers, many of which are antiquated or in a bad state of repair; and whether the Government will take steps to get the piers modernised, seeing that so long as the piers are a danger to the safe navigation of the ships in stormy weather a proper and regular service cannot be maintained, thereby handicapping the inhabitants by delaying the transport of their livestock and goods and causing inconvenience to summer visitors?
Mr. W. ADAMSONI am aware of the circumstances referred to in the first part of the question. With regard to the second part, I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given by me to questions on 18th and 23rd June, in which I indicated that legislation will be required before this matter can be comprehensively dealt with, and the matter is receiving my close personal attention.