68. Mr. CATHCART WASONasked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that the passenger servive between Scrabster and Stromness is practically suspended and in view of the cost of conveying the mails from Stromness to Kirkwall, he will take into consideration the abandonment of the present mail service and endeavour to arrange with the Admiralty for the use of a drifter on reasonable terms?
Mr. PIKE PEASEI am considering this suggestion with others which have been made by the hon. Member respecting the Orkney mail service, and will write to him.
76. Mr. WASONasked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is unable to permit ordinary mails being carried on Admiralty drifters, will he confer with the Postmaster-General as to whether it would be possible to arrange for the Post Office to have the use on reasonable terms of a drifter for conveyance of mails?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe Admiralty have no drifters available for this service. They are all required for war duties.
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIt is not our business. These representations must be made to the Postmaster-General.
77. Mr. WASONasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that the Admiralty run a mail steamer from Scrabster to Loughake twice daily in summer and once in winter and the public inconvenience caused, he will reconsider the conveyance of mails from Scrabster to Loughake thence by drifters?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIt is regretted that the Admiralty cannot undertake the conveyance of the civil mails.