HC Deb 18 November 1920 vol 134 cc2097-8
77. Dr. MURRAY

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the subsidy paid to Messrs McBrayne for carrying the mails between Kyle of Lochalsh and Stornoway is a separate contract for that special service or whether the payment is part of a general arrangement with the company for mail services to various parts of the West Coast of Scotland?

Mr. BALDWIN

The service is between Kyle of Lochalsh and Stornoway is part of a general arrangement.

Dr. MURRAY

Is it not a fact that if the service were loft to open competition it would pay for itself as it did for 40 years?

Mr. BALDWIN

If it would pay for itself no one would be more pleased than I.

Dr. MURRAY

You have not tried.

78. Dr. MURRAY

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the settlement of the coal strike, he will now take steps to restore the daily steamer services between Stornoway and the mainland, which have been carried on for 40 years?

Mr. BALDWIN

I have been asked to reply to this question. The decision as to the subsidised steamer services to Stornoway during the winter months was arrived at before the coal strike, and is not affected by its settlement.

Dr. MURRAY

Is there any reason why the Government, having doubled the postal and other charges applicable to that part of the country, as well as to other parts, should have reduced the steamer service there by 50 per cent, below the service we have had for the last 40 years?

Mr. BALDWIN

I regret as much as anyone that it is not yet possible to go back to the service which was given before the War, but the subsidies are very heavy, and, in our opinion, as heavy as we feel we are entitled to charge at present. To give the service through the winter that the hon. Member requires would cost a great deal more money than we have allocated for the purpose.

Dr. MURRAY

Could not the Government save a little of the money that has been squandered in Mesopotamia to help these people, who were in the War from the first week?

Major MACKENZIE WOOD

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there are 30,000 people in the Island, of Lewes who depend on this steamer?