§ 18. Mr. MacKENZIE LIVINGSTONEasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether in view of the fact that the people of Lewis have repeatedly requested, without success, that the Stornoway mail boat should leave Stornoway in time to connect with the early morning train for the South, he will explain why the mail boat is allowed to remain idle in Stornoway for over two hours each night, which is more than sufficient time to enable the connection to be made?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe information in my possession does not bear out the suggestion that the ship always or indeed usually lies idle for as much as two hours at Stornoway. According to my information it might sometimes be possible to expedite the departure from Stornoway sufficiently to enable passengers, but not fish or other cargo, to proceed by the early train from Kyle, but the making of such a connection could not be ensured even for passengers.
§ Mr. LIVINGSTONEWill the Secretary of State make some further inquiries into this matter. My information is that for the last month the steamer has been idle for not less than two hours every night.
§ Sir J. GILM0URIf the hon. Member will give me any reliable information on that point I shall be glad to look into the matter further.