§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that McBrayne's mail steamer "Clydesdale," which runs between Mallaig, Kyle, and Stornoway, is thirty-nine years old, and in rough weather unable to bear the strain of her engines running at maximum speed, in consequence of which it not infrequently happens that a longer time is occupied on the passage to and from Stornoway than would otherwise be the case, with the result that the mails, passengers, and cargo are delayed, and will he cause some inquiry to be made with a view to ascertain whether the "Clydesdale" should be allowed to continue to make the passage through these seas in all weathers.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe "Clydesdale" has a Board of Trade passenger certificate. I am advised that she is a strongly built, well-proportioned vessel, and that there are no signs of her having been strained, or that she has suffered from vibration due to the engines working at their maximum speed. She has been well kept up, and her present boiler, although made in 1881, was not put into use until 1893. I have, in fact, no reason to doubt that the vessel is in good condition, and quite fit to continue her present employment in all weathers. As to her speed, the Board of Trade have no jurisdiction.