§ 57. Mr. MUNROasked whether the right hon. Gentleman has received a representation from the town council of Cromarty asking that the mails for any of His Majesty's ships which lie off Cromarty should be delivered at the Cromarty Post Office instead of being diverted to Invergordon and thence sent to the vessels in question; whether he is aware that inconvenience, delay, and unnecessary expense result from the present system; and whether he will, in these circumstances, favourably consider the representation referred to?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI have received the representation to which the hon. Member refers. Cromarty is not served by railway, but receives its mails by steamer from Invergordon, which is on the main line of the Highland Railway Company. Mails for His Majesty's ships in Cromarty Firth are sent from Invergordon by motor launch direct to the ships, thus securing earlier delivery than if sent by steamer from Invergordon to Cromarty and thence by launch to the ships. The present arrangement is approved by the Admiralty, and an alteration would involve serious disadvantages.
§ Mr. MUNROIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Admiralty have expressed a desire for an improved postal service to Cromarty?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI am not aware of that. I know that the Admiralty were consulted as to the present arrangements, and they expressed their approval of them.