HC Deb 10 June 1901 vol 94 cc1466-7
MR. JOHN DEWAR (Inverness-shire)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, if he will state what additional expenditure it would be necessary to incur in order to secure a steamer from Mallaig to convey His Majesty's mails to the outlying islands via the West Coast of Skye.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN,) Worcestershire, E.

The Postmaster General is unable to say what would be the additional expenditure involved in providing a mail steamer from Mallaig to the outlying islands via the West Coast of Skye. The increased expense, however, would certainly be considerable; and in view of the very high cost of the existing service, the Postmaster General would not be justified in recommending additional outlay for postal purposes.