asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the village of Riccarton, in Roxburgh, with a population of about 100, has no road communication; and when he proposes to provide a grant to the county council to make this possible.

Yes, Sir, and it is for the Roxburgh County Council as highway authority to decide whether a road should be built here. I could only consider a grant from the Road Fund if it could be shown that the road would be suitable for classification.

Is the Minister aware that these 100 residents of Riccarton are in the main employees of the railways and that they have no road communication with the surrounding country, and would he not move in this matter and encourage the county council?

I can only repeat that the representations of the hon. Gentleman should be directed to the Roxburgh County Council which must take the first initiative in this matter.

Is the Minister aware that these conditions make this village unique but not unhappy?

Are we to understand that a community which has no roads—nothing connected with the Ministry of Transport—is unique and happy?