33. Mr. CATHCART WASONasked the Postmaster-General if, in view of the curtailed and irregular mail service to the Shetland Isles and elsewhere, he will consider the expediency of allowing special Press telegrams to be sent at a reduced rate during the continuance of the War?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI regret that I cannot adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.
34. Mr. C. WASONasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that, though the contract for the conveyance of mails to and from Shetland is intended to provide for a service of some regularity, the running of the mail steamers is at present being conducted without any system whatever and without regard for the interests of the Shetland mail service; whether he will state what sums have recently been paid to the contracting company and for what exactly have those payments been made; will he say what excuses have been given by the contractors for irregularity in the conveyance of mails between Shetland and the South; whether these have been inquired into; whether he will state how far he is satisfied with them; whether he is aware that Shetland depends 1458 for all communication with the South on the steamers carrying His Majesty's mails; whether he is aware that these steamers, after shipping the mails, are used for a carrying trade between ports en route and, as a consequence, are so irregular and uncertain in their sailings as to prevent soldiers on leave before going to the front and sailors on leave from His Majesty's ships from being able to get home to Shetland; and whether the irregularity of the service has his sanction?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe formal contract for the conveyance of mails to and from the Shetland Islands was recently determined by the contractors, who have, however, agreed to carry on the service as nearly in accordance with the terms of the contract as is practicable under existing conditions. A new contract cannot be arranged at present, but I will enquire whether anything can be done to ensure greater regularity in the mail service.