§ Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received, and from whom, regarding the need for a regular public ferry service between the Isle of Vatersay and Barra; and whether, in the absence of proposals for such a service from the county council of Inverness-shire, he will now draw to their attention the assistance offered under the Highlands and Islands Shipping Services Act.
§ Mr. NobleNo representations have been received since the hon. Member was informed in February last that no proposals had been received. The Inverness county council I feel sure are fully aware of the assistance available under the Highlands and Islands Shipping Services Act, 1960.
§ Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland from what persons, or bodies, he has received representations regarding the proposal to construct a bridge or causeway between the Isle of Berneray and North Uist; and what was the nature of his reply.
§ Mr. NobleThe only representation we have received came from the hon. Member himself; and as he knows, my predecessor told him that the matter was one for consideration by Inverness County Council.
§ Mr. MacMillanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans the Herring Industry Board have prepared for the establishment of processing or part-processing of herring at Castlebay, Lochboisdale, or Scalpay, in the Western Isles, to provide the island fishermen with markets within economic reach of their fishing grounds and to save the cost and time taken in transporting the catches to mainland ports.
§ Mr. NobleThe Board do not consider that the small and spasmodic landings of herring to be expected at the places mentioned would justify the provision of processing plant. They have, however, established kippering and quick-freezing facilities at Stornoway and Mallaig and an oil and meal factory at Stornoway which are accessible from the Minch fishing grounds and in the Board's view provide adequate processing facilities.
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§ Mr. MacMillanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made with the construction of the homes for old people in Barra, the Uists and Harris, respectively; and when it is estimated the homes in each of those islands wil be ready for occupation.
§ Mr. NobleInverness County Council have just received my approval to their plans for a home at Tarbert, Harris. Because of site difficulties in Benbecula, the Council have now decided that a second home should be sited in South Uist instead. Plans for this home have not yet been submitted to me. I understand there is no proposal to build a home in Barra.
I cannot yet say when the two homes are likely to be ready for occupation.
§ Mr. MacMillanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland from what persons or bodies in Ross and Cromarty he has received, during the past five years, representations regarding the need for a swimming pool at the Nicholson Institute, Stornoway; and what proposals have been submitted to him by Ross and Cromarty County Council.
§ Mr. NobleNo representations from any source have been received nor have Ross and Cromarty Council submitted any proposals.
§ Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has received for the establishment of a ferry service between Stornoway and Ullapool; and what assistance he is prepared to give for this project under the provisions of the Highlands and Islands Shipping Services Act, or otherwise.
§ Mr. NobleProposals for this project were submitted to my predecessor in 1960; but after discussions between my Department, the promoters and Ross and Cromarty County Council, and in the light of the information then available, the promoters were told in March last that in present circumstances there was no prospect of Government assistance. The County Council, who had withdrawn their original support, are, I understand, reconsidering the matter, but no new proposals have been submitted to me.
§ Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what 82W is the present state of the negotiations between the county council of Ross and Cromarty and his Department regarding the proposed marine works at Brevig, Isle of Lewis; what is the most recent estimated cost; and what are the nature and specification of the revised scheme.
§ Mr. NobleAs tenders received by the county council for the proposed work at Brevig considerably exceed the estimated cost of £20,000 on which they had been offered a grant of 75 per cent., the county council are now considering in consultation with my Department the alternatives of a landing pier reduced from the 100 feet originally proposed to 50 feet which is estimated to cost £25,000, or substituting for the Landing pier a stepped wall at an estimated cost of £24,200.
§ Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what provision is made for the teaching of instrumental music in day schools in the Islands of Lewis, Harris, each of the Uists, Benbecula and Barra, respectively; and with what instruments.
§ Mr. NobleI am informed that the only provision at present is at the Nicholson Institute, Stornoway, where piano instruction is available for pupils preparing for the Scottish Certificate of Education examination in music.
§ Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what solution was reached at the meeting between the representatives of the Scottish Education Department and Ross and Cromarty Education Authority to the difficulties connected with the county school building programme.
§ Mr. NobleAs the Authority have not found it possible to obtain the additional architectural staff needed to carry out their revised school building programme work for the next three years, it was suggested to them to employ firms with experience in this field. It was also agreed to set up a joint working party of representatives of the County and of the Department to keep progress under close review and to avoid delays.