§ Major Neven-Spenceasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the inconvenience, delay, expense, and at times, danger, caused in the handling of passengers, mails, livestock and merchandise, in Shetland, through the lack of piers for steamers and small boats; that steamer piers are needed at Uyeasound, Whalsay and Hills-wick, and small boat piers at Haralds-wick (improvement), Baltasound, Hubie, Gutcher, Ulsta, Mossbank, Melby, Foula (improvement), Billister, Skerries and Grutness; and whether he will arrange for a 100 per cent. grant for the construction of these piers under a five-year plan on the undertaking that the county 1823W council would thereafter be responsible for upkeep?
§ Mr. ColvilleI am prepared to consider applications for assistance towards the provision of piers in the Congested Districts if they are submitted by the appropriate County Council or Harbour Authority and subject to funds being available. I have recently offered grants, which have been accepted, in aid of the construction of piers at Papa Stour and Skerry of Lussetter, Yell.
§ Major Neven-Spenceasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that there are 59 communities in Orkney, comprising 334 households, that have no access to the road system of the county; that 40 miles of new roads, costing approximately £43,000, are needed; that it is impossible for either the district councils or the county council to meet the cost of construction; that many of these roads have been on the list for over 40 years; and whether he will arrange for a 100 per cent, grant for their construction on the understanding that the county council would thereafter be responsible for upkeep?
§ Mr. ColvilleI understand that a list of such cases, corresponding approxi-
Table showing the estimated consumption in the United Kingdom of certain foodstuffs, distinguishing between home and imported produce. Commodity. Unit. Home Production,1937. Imports, 1937 Wheat and flour in equivalent weight of wheat … '000 tons 700(a) 5,144(a) Meat, including bacon … … … … 000 tons 1,472 1,532 Poultry … … … … … … '000 tons 78 27 Eggs (in shell) … … … … … millions 4,420 2,957 Condensed milk … … … … … '000 tons 110 22 Dried milk (whole milk powder) … … … '000 tons 5 7 Butter … … … … … … '000 tons 45 465 Lard … … … … … … … '000 tons (b) 73 Margerine … … … … … … '000 tons — 187(c) Cheese … … … … … … '000 tons 40 146 Fruit, fresh or raw … … … … … '000 tons 429 1,428 (a) The figures given relate to the average of the years 1934, 1935 and 1936 and, whilst excluding wheat fed to livestock, include wheat used for industrial purposes. The amount used for industrial purposes is estimated at 100,000 tons including both home-produced and imported. (b) Not available. (c) Includes 182,000 tons manufactured in the United Kingdom, mainly from imported materials.