61. MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that in the island of Eigg mails should be delivered every Tuesday and Friday, but are often not delivered until Wednesday and Saturday, and that the outward mails are dispatched on the same day as the inward mails arrive, thus giving no time for reply; and, seeing that within the last two months the steamers only landed mails once in the course of ten days and on another occasion once only in the course of twelve days, whether he will consider the advisability of continuing the telegraph to the island without guarantee from the proprietor?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI am having inquiry made into this matter, and will communicate with the Noble Lord.
62. MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the telegraph service in the island of Eigg is used by the crofters as well as by the proprietors; that the 1791 beacon light is apt to get extinguished; that the telegraph has been used a number of times for the benefit of this beacon light; whether the proprietor of the place guaranteed in 1899 to pay one-third of the total loss for seven years; whether this guarantee expired in 1907, and no further demand was made until the beginning of last year; and whether the proprietor in Eigg has paid as his share of that guarantee the sum of £375?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe telegraph service in the island of Eigg is used by crofters as well as by the proprietors, but the latter make much greater use of it. I can find no trace of any recent telegrams about the beacon light. The office was opened, together with those at Rhum and Canna, in 1899, under an arrangement whereby the proprietors guaranteed to pay for seven years one-half of the amount by which the expenses exceeded the revenue. In the year 1906, in consequence of a general change in the system of guarantees, one-third only of the deficiency was required. Since that year the offices have been maintained at the sole cost of my Department. The expenses, however, have been increasing, and the revenue falling off, and a renewal of the guarantees has been sought. The guarantors' share of the deficiency for the three islands was paid every year in one sum, and I have no knowledge of the share of this sum paid by the proprietor of Eigg.
§ Sir J. D. REESMay I venture, as one who was present when the wreck occurred at Rhum last year, to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he really proposes such a very serious course as the slopping of this communication, unless the proprietors are screwed up lo the sum he at present thinks proper?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI am afraid that course is under consideration, but no decision has been arrived at; and I hope some arrangement will be come to.
§ Sir J. D. REESWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the wreck that took place? I can assure him the loss of life and property would have been enormous but for this communication.
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe existence of the telegraphic service did not prevent the wreck.
§ Mr. WHYTEMay I ask whether in such a case communication takes place between the Board of Trade and the Post Office?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELNo, Sir. I am not aware the Board of Trade has any status in this matter, but I will inquire. Communications are, however, now passing between the Scottish Board of Agriculture and the Post Office on the subject.
Mr. F. HALLMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is not advisable in the interests of humanity that telegraphic communication should be continued where there is any chance of there being a wreck?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a general question.