HC Deb 25 June 1941 vol 372 cc1040-1
67. Mr. Malcolm MacMillan

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the total amount paid to Messrs. MacBrayne's Company in respect of the Western Isles Steamer Service each year since the renewal of their contract; and whether he will give the amounts for different purposes separately, with the increases over the previous comparable periods?

Colonel Llewellin

I have been asked to reply. The subsidy of £60,000 per annum payable to this company under the contract of 31st December, 1938, was not related to particular services but was in respect of the general services scheduled to the contract as a whole, and it is therefore not possible to state how much has been paid in successive years in respect of the Western Isles Steamer Service, or to give the amounts for different purposes separately. The outbreak of war led to very considerable increases in the costs of running and to decreases in receipts, with the result that it became necesary to introduce new arrangements which will be expressed in annual contracts. The payments made in respect of the years 1939 and 1940 were £70,738 and £169,000 respectively.

Mr. MacMillan

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that though the subsidies and other payments have gone up, the service has deteriorated very markedly, and is he aware moreover that the freight charges have increased by a large percentage, out of all proportion to the excuses which have been used?

Colonel Llewellin

I am afraid the service has deteriorated, largely from the fact that some of the better steamers are doing what is really more important national service than taking people to and from the Western Isles, although that is important.

Mr. MacMillan

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that there are very good reasons for these steamers going to and from the Western Isles at the moment, and that they are becoming more important every day? Service men by thousands are going to and fro and have a right to some comfort?

Colonel Llewellin

I appreciate that it is an important service, but some of the ships that have been taken over by the Admiralty are doing equally, and probably more, important work.

Mr. MacMillan

What about the ships that are and have been on the service for many years? Why should their service deteriorate?