asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress with the reconstruction of the road from Gairloch to Braemore in Wester Ross.

A series of schemes is being carried out under the Crofter Counties Programme to reconstruct this road. Twenty-six out of the 44 miles have been completed; work is in progress on five miles and will be authorised this year on a further five. Two more schemes will be required to reconstruct the remaining eight miles, and these will be authorised within three or four years, as the work now in hand is completed.

As the tourist traffic is continually increasing, and as there is no railway in this region, have those factors been taken into account in the standards laid down for the reconstruction of this road?

Yes, Sir. All the road which has been reconstructed since the war, or which has still to be rebuilt—about 32 miles from Aultbea to Braemore—is being provided with an 18-ft. carriageway.