§ MR. RAYMOND HEATH (Lincoln, Louth)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether his attention has been drawn to the inefficiency of the mail service between Stornoway and the mainland; whether he is aware that owing to her faulty construction, deficiency in steam power, and insufficient size, the steamerLochielis quite unsuited to carry the mails, as she cannot keep up to time in any but the, finest weather; whether he is prepared .to put the contract for carrying the 1148 mails between Stornoway and the mainland up to open competition on the first opportunity; and when will the present contract terminate?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES, Cambridge University)I am aware that complaints have been made relative to the mail packet service to which the hon. Member refers; but the contractor does his best with the means at his disposal, and is not prepared to employ a larger and more powerful steamer without additional subsidy. The existing contract cannot be terminated before the 31st December next, and meanwhile I have the intention of offering the service to open competition.