§ MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)To ask the Postmaster-General, having regard to the fact that the mail steamer from Kyle was late in her arrival at Stornoway on 120 occasions between the 1st January last and the 16th June, and that the delay exceeded half-an-hour on twenty-three occasions, will he state how the contractor accounts for the delay; and whether any of the penalties attaching thereto have been enforced.
(Answered by Lord Stanley.) The train by which the mails are conveyed to Kyle is generally a few minutes late in arrival at that place, with the result that the Stornoway steamer is frequently unable to leave Kyle at the appointed time. The delays which have occurred on the voyage have been chiefly due to stormy weather and adverse winds, and when the weather has been favourable, time has frequently been gained. The steamship contractor has furnished an explanation whenever the authorised time allowed for the voyage has been exceeded, and his explanations have been accepted. There has been no case for the imposition of a penalty.