§ Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider the possibility of obtaining communication with the inhabitants of the Isle of St. Kilda, by means of signalling or otherwise, with His Majesty's ships from time to time to safeguard them against the danger of starvation to which they have recently been exposed?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)The consideration of the best means of securing periodical communication with St. Kilda does not appear to be a matter which primarily concerns the Admiralty. In case of real emergency, however, the Admiralty would at any time render assistance, as on a recent occasion, but I would depreciate reliance being placed upon His Majesty's ships in normal circumstances.
§ Mr. HOGGEasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he will take measures to prevent any recurrence of the conditions reducing the islanders of St. Kilda to hardship by establishing some better and more regular means of communication between the island and the mainland?
The SECRETARY for SCOTLAND (Mr. McKinnon Wood)The question of communications with St. Kilda is primarily one for the Postmaster-General, who is answering a question upon this subject, and with whom I am in communication.
§ Mr. HOGGECan the Secretary for Scotland tell us what has been the result of the information obtained by the recent communication with St. Kilda? Can he state the condition the islanders are in?
Mr. McKINNON WOODI have no information beyond what appears in the public Press. Of course, my hon. Friend is aware that a warship has taken to the island a sufficient supply of provisions for some time to come. I have no report as 1902 to the condition the warship found the islanders in.
Mr. McKINNON WOODThat question should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty. If they have any report, they have not communicated to us at the Scottish Office yet. I do not think they have had time to receive a report.
§ Lord N. CRICHTON-STUARTMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether some arrangement could not be made for communication with St. Kilda during the worst months of the year?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThere are arrangements made by which the island is visited during certain months each year. There is a very stormy sea in that part, and there are certain times of the year when the island cannot be visited.
§ Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAYasked the Postmaster-General whether he can take any steps, either by the installation of wireless telegraphy or otherwise, to improve the means of communication with the Isle of St. Kilda to prevent the danger of starvation to which the inhabitants have recently been exposed?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Herbert Samuel)The provision of telegraphic communication with St. Kilda would be far too costly to be justified as part of the ordinary Post Office service. But I will discuss the matter with the Scottish office.