§ Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the lack of provision for the disposal of sewage is causing a public nuisance and may become a danger to public health in many villages in the Western Isles; and what steps he is taking to deal with this increasingly urgent problem.
§ Mr. NobleA number of sewage disposal schemes have already been started with the help of grant under the Rural Water Supplies and Sewerage Acts, and I shall be glad to consider any other proposals which the county councils may put. before me. In some of the more156W scattered townships, however, the cost of a public sewerage scheme may be prohibitive, and where water closets are installed it may be necessary for the owners of individual houses to provide their own septic tanks or similar arrangements.
§ Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will assist Inverness County Council to effect economies as well as provide better service to ratepayers in South Lochboisdale, Isle of South Uist, by extending their proposed South Uist, south end, water scheme to supply that area, while the water scheme contractors and plant are still in the island, at the completion of the main project.
§ Mr. NobleI must leave it to the county council to decide which parts of its area have the most pressing claims on its resources. An extension of the south end scheme would not necessarily be the best way of supplying South Lochboisdale.
§ Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the lack of playing grounds for the children living in the housing schemes of Ross and Cromarty County Council in the Isle of Lewis; and what action is being taken to provide equipped, safe playing-space in existing, and in any new, schemes.
§ Mr. NobleI am aware that there are no equipped playgrounds in county council housing schemes in Lewis. The county council is not aware of any demand for playgrounds and has no proposals to provide them; it considers that there is less need for these facilities where schemes are small and have easy access to open moorland.
§ Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress is being made towards constructing the proposed jetty at the north end of the Isle of Barra.
§ Mr. NobleThe provision of suitable landing facilities raises a number of problems to which, unfortunately, a solution has not yet been found. The matter is, however, being actively pursued by my Department and the county council.
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§ Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what assistance he will give the Inverness County Council to extend the road in Eriskay to serve those ratepayers living beyond the end of the present road.
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§ Mr. NobleThe county council has not submitted any proposals for the construction of the two spur roads to which I assume the hon. Members refers, but if it decides to do so I would be prepared to consider the schemes for assistance under the Congested Districts (Scotland) Act, 1897.