HC Deb 16 April 1891 vol 352 cc683-4
MR. BRYCE (Aberdeen, S.)

I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether he can now state the arrangements which it is intended to make for the provision of an improved mail service between Aberdeen and the Orkney and Shetland Islands?

MR. RAIKES

I am at present only in a position to state that I have ascertained on what terms the present contractors would be willing to increase the frequency of the sailings of the mail steamers between Aberdeen and the Shetlands by one day a week all the year round, and those terms are now being considered by my noble Friend the Secretary for Scotland and myself.

MR. BRYCE

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when he can give a definite and final answer?

MR. RAIKES

It will be necessary for the Scotch Office and the Post Office to arrive at a common understanding, and this must be submitted to the Treasury before I can say anything else.