33 and 34. Mr. CATHCART WASONasked the Postmaster-General (1) if, in considering a revision of the mail contract between Caithness and Orkney, he will take into consideration the fact that soldiers and sailors on leave for a few days will be practically debarred from visiting their homes; and (2) if he is aware that the services of the ferry boat between Caithness and Orkney have been shortened approximately by one-half, that prior to the War the service occupied between forty and fifty hours weekly, and that the present curtailed service will only occupy about eighteen hours weekly; and will he say whether the North of Scotland Company are demanding in respect of the eighteen hours' service the same subsidy received for the service occupying between forty and fifty?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. J. Pease)The question of the remuneration to be paid to the shipping company for the reduced mail service between the mainland and Orkney and the various suggestions of the hon. Member are under my careful consideration, and I shall be glad to communicate with the hon. Member in regard to the matter before any final decision is taken.
Mr. WASONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the very sympathetic attitude of the Admiralty towards this question, and will he take them into his counsel?