31. Mr. WESTNOODasked the Secretary for Scotland if he is aware of the unsatisfactory steamer service between Oban and the island of Barra; that the 1087 Royal Mail Steamship "Cygnet" is unfitted for the outer islands service; that she failed to put in an appearance at Barra on the 15th and 22nd November and the 5th and 12th December of the year 1924; that the islanders have lost count of the number of times she has failed to do the trip in January of this year; if he is aware of the serious loss this entails upon the islanders; and what action, if any, does he propose to take to provide a satisfactory, efficient and reliable steamship service between the mainland and the outer islands?
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYBefore this question is answered, may I point out that this question has been asked in almost the same terms by my hon. Friend the Member for the Western Isles (Mr. MacKenzie Livingstone)? Is there any protection against this conduct on the part of hon. Members?
§ Mr. WESTWOODI had no idea that it had been asked by any other hon. Member; on the knowledge I have in connection with the bad service, I have asked the question.
§ Mr. SPEAKERI was not aware that the question had been asked before.
§ Captain ELLIOTThe itinerary of the steamship "Cygnet" includes three calls each week at Castlebay, Barra. My right hon. Friend is informed that she failed to call at Castelbay on the 14th and 21st of November, and on the 5th and 12th of December, 1924. During January of this year she failed to call at Castlebay on one occasion, and on three other occasions in that month she was storm-bound at Castlebay itself for 36 hours or more. These interruptions of the service were due to heavy gales, but during February there was no interruption of the service to Barra. My right hon. Friends the Secretary for Scotland and the Postmaster-General are giving careful consideration to the question of the steamer services between the mainland and the islands.
§ Mr. WESTWOODIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the steamship "Cygnet" was not built for outer-Islands Service, and that the interruption of the service was not so much the weather but her unseaworthiness to carry through the work?
§ Captain ELLIOTThe Secretary for Scotland and the Postmaster-General are giving serious consideration to the question of the service.
§ Mr. LIVINGSTONEWill the hon. Gentleman make it quite clear that this question has been raised repeatedly, both privately and publicly?
§ Major COLFOXDoes the hon. Gentle, man consider that it is the duty of the Government to provide shipping facilities between different parts of the country?