MR. CATHCART WASON (Orkney and Shetland)To ask the Postmaster General if his attention has been called to the fact that the steamer "St. Ninian" arrived at Scalloway on Tuesday, 24th February, and that no arrangements were made for landing the mail till 9 p.m., causing delay in delivery of mails at Lerwick; and will he state what steps he proposes to take in the matter.
(Answered by Mr. Austen Chamberlain.) The steamer "St. Nicholas"(not the "St. Ninian" as stated in the Question) with mails from Aberdeen arrived off Scalloway at 3.10 p.m. on Tuesday the 24th of February, but owing to a strong gale she could not approach the pier nor could a boat reach her from the shore till about 9 p.m., when the mails were landed by boat. I am assured that they could not have been landed sooner with safety.
MR. CATHCART WASONTo ask the Postmaster General if the attention of the Government has been called to the fact that the mail steamer "St. Clair," timed to leave Scalloway with His Majesty's mails on Wednesday, 18th February, did not leave till Sunday the 22nd, and carried no mails; and will he state what steps he proposes to take in he matter.
(Answered by Mr. Austen Chamberlain.) The mail steamer "St. Clair" arrived at 258 Scalloway on Tuesday, the 17th of February, at 5.50 p.m., and afterwards proceeded as usual to Hillswick with a mail for that place, but she was unable to return to Scalloway in due course on Wednesday, the 18th of February, owing to stress of weather. She was obliged to take refuge at Aith Voe, and after making a second attempt to proceed next day, she was again compelled to return to Voe, where she had to remain until Sunday morning the 22nd. She then returned to Scalloway, and left there for the south on the same day. The only mail sent by the steamer on this occasion was the bag from Lerwick for Stromness, the mails for Aberdeen having been despatched by the direct steamer "Queen," which left Berwick at 8 a.m. on the 22nd.