§ 48. Mr. LIVINGSTONEasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will bear in mind, in his negotiations for the new fast Stornoway mail steamer, the need for proper accommodation for the large numbers of fisher girls who travel to and from the mainland, and the pressing need for the early morning train connection to the south that existed before the War?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Sir John Gilmour)As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, the question of accommodation for large numbers of fishing girls is one which only arises four times in the year, and special arrangements have to be made on those occasions to facilitate the transport of this abnormally heavy traffic. The desirability of expediting the passage of these girls has, however, been kept in view in considering future requirements. As to the early morning train connection I would refer the hon. Member to my answers to his questions of 7th and 12th April and 10th May last.
§ Mr. LIVINGSTONEBut since I received that answer, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it has been agreed 1236 to put a faster and more commodious steamer on the Stornoway service, and is he unable or unwilling to insist that the mail contractors shall expedite the sailing of that steamer in order to catch the early morning connection to the South, the loss of which means the loss of a whole day to the business people of Stornoway?