asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the dangerous and badly lighted condition of the pier at Lochmaddy and of the fatal accident that occurred at the pier; and what he intends to do in order to provide a safe, enlarged, and well-lighted pier for the convenience of the inhabitants of North Uist?

I am aware that certain improvements at Lochmaddy Pier are desirable. There is, however, no evidence that the regrettable drowning accident to which my hon. Friend refers was due to any defect in the pier. As the pier is private property, no assistance can be given from public funds for its improvement.

Has the time not arrived when the Government should step in and when these piers should be owned by the State instead of being privately owned?

When the matter was inquired into, it was stated that there was no evidence that the accident was due to any defect whatever in the pier.