Crofter Counties (Grants)

Mr. Grimond
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total of normal grants, over and above special grants promised by this Government and its predecessor, for road repair, improvement and construction in the crofting counties this year.

Mr. J. Stuart
It is estimated that normal grants for 1954–55 for maintenance, and improvements of roads in the seven crofter counties, including township roads together with expenditure authorised on trunk roads will amount to£1,016,000.

Mr. Grimond
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much of the£750,000 special grant for Highland roads remains unspent and unallotted, respectively.

Mr. J. Stuart
Total expenditure will not be known until outstanding accounts are submitted. Expenditure to date on schemes started under the programme amounts to approximately£400,000. Two schemes which it was intended to include in the programme, at a cost as then estimated of£323,000, were deferred. These  works, the Borgie-Naver Bridge and St. Catherine's-Strachur roads, are now in hand in accordance with my announcement of 14th July, 1953.

Mr. Grimond
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total extra grant for road construction and repair which the Government have promised for roads in the crofting counties, over and above normal grants, and the£750,000 previously promised; and how much of this has been allotted.

Mr. J. Stuart
The special allocation, announced in July, 1953, is of Government expenditure totalling£1 million. Proposals have been made for Government expenditure of£979,375, on present Estimates.

Mr. Grimond
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total amounts allotted to each of the crofting counties for roads from the£750,000 special grant, from the extra grant promised by this Government and by way of normal road grants, respectively.

Mr. J. Stuart
The following table gives the information required: -------------------
|Argyll           |
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|Caithness        |
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|Inverness        |
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|Orkney           |
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|Ross and Cromarty|
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|Sutherland       |
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|Zetland          |
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|Total            |
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