At 22nd February there were 2,054 insured males registered as unemployed at the Stornoway employment exchange, this represents about 48 per cent. of the estimated total number of insured males in the area at July, 1946. I regret that information is not readily available as to the numbers unemployed in the Southern Islands of the Outer Hebrides.

As regards the last part of the Question, I understand that road works, involving an expenditure of approximately £105,000 in Lewis and Harris, have been approved, and that further road works to an estimated value of £344,000 are being examined. Offers of grants in respect of water supply schemes to a value of £250,000 in Harris and the Outer Isles and £250,000 in Lewis have been made to the local authorities concerned.