MR. CRAIG-SELLAR (Lanarkshire, Partick)asked the Secretary for Scotland, Whether the Government intend to assist, by subsidy or otherwise, a line of steamboats to the Outer Hebrides, with the view of extending Postal communication in those districts, and of affording facilities to the crofter and fishing population for sending their fish and other produce to the Southern markets?
§ THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)The subject referred to by the hon. Member has during the past year received no little attention from successive Secretaries for Scotland and the Public Departments concerned. A steam mail packet service between Oban, Tiree, and Lochboisdale was subsidized by the Government in March, 1886. The Post Office has within the last few weeks issued tenders for further steam packet services between Portree, Tarbert (Harris) and Lochmaddy, and between Lochboisdale and Lochmaddy. In this way the postal circle will be completed.