§ 68. Sir G. YOUNGERasked the Post master-General the cause of the present irregularity in the daily delivery of mails in Harris and the Outer Hebrides; upon how many days since the 1st December last the mails have been undelivered; and what steps he is taking to remedy this state of matters?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELBetween the 1st and the 19th December inclusive, intermediate calls had to be omitted on five days owing to bad weather, but otherwise the service was regularly performed. After the 19th December, however, and until the end of the month there was considerable irregularity, due partly to boisterous weather, and partly to the damage of the regular steamer and the substitution of a smaller steamer in her place. I am inquiring whether there has been any failure to perform the conditions of the contract.
§ Sir G. YOUNGERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the steamer Which has been substituted is a wholly inefficient boat, some sort of a coal boat that is not really suitable for the service at all?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThat is the point as to which I am inquiring, whether or not the substitute steamer fulfils the conditions of the contract. I have asked for a special report on that point.