37. Dr. MURRAYasked the Postmaster-General the number of times during the past 18 months on which the mailboat plying between Stornoway and Kyle of Lochalsh failed to fulfil the terms of contract by not arriving at Stornoway at the scheduled time, and the number of times the failure was due to breakdowns?
§ Mr. PEASEThe times of arrival and departure scheduled in the contract for the Stornoway steamer service are approximate only. The essential requirement is that a steamer shall leave Kyle as soon as possible after the arrival of the afternoon train, proceed to Stornoway, and return in time to connect with the 11 a.m. train of the following day from Kyle to the south. During the past 18 months failures to maintain the train connection from Kyle to the south have occurred on 12 occasions. On two of these occasions the failures were reported to be due to breakdown.
38. Dr. MURRAYasked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the frequent breakdown of the cable communication between the Island of Lewis and the mainland, and the long delays in repairing the same, and also the advisability of wireless contact with ships in danger at sea, he will take steps to reopen the wireless station at Stornoway which was set up by the Admiralty during the War?
§ Mr. PEASECommunication between the Outer Hebrides and the mainland is maintained during cable interruptions by means of the wireless stations at Lochboisdale and Tobermory. The ship and shore stations at Wick and at Malin Head are available for communication with ships on the north-west coast of Scotland, and in the circumstances the re-establishment of the wireless station at Stornoway for the purpose indicated by my hon. Friend would not be justified.
Dr. MURRAYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that when the mail boat broke down in a gale recently some wireless messages were sent, but they were not received at Stornoway, and consequently a number of women and children were kept waiting there on the pier all night?
§ Mr. PEASEI am sorry to hear that, and I was not aware of the fact, but the matter has been considered, and it is not thought that we should be justified in giving the extra facilities which the hon. Member desires.