HC Deb 18 February 1946 vol 419 cc765-6
11. Major McCallum

asked the Minister of War Transport if he will now consider arranging for the mail boat "Lochiel" to call at the Island of Colonsay three times per week on those days on which the mail boat makes Port Askaig its terminal port on the Island of Islay.

Mr. Barnes

This proposal has been fully examined on past occasions. There are no new circumstances today which would justify altering the conclusion that on safety and other grounds an extension of the itinerary of the "Lochiel" to include calls at Colonsay should not be undertaken.

Major McCallum

Is the Minister aware that on the previous occasion on which this question was discussed one of the reasons put forward for not complying with it was war conditions—-the blackout of the lights on buoys, etc.? That has now been removed and the skipper of the particular boat in question says that, for at any rate eight months of the year, he is prepared to call at this island, and, therefore, would the Minister consider arranging for that to be done?

Mr. Barnes

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will take the trouble to put a considered case before me, I will certainly look into the matter.

13. Major McCallum

asked the Minister of War Transport if he is aware of the dissatisfaction felt by the inhabitants of the Island of Colonsay with the steamer service at present connecting that island with the mainland; and, now that the war emergency is over, will he go into this question with a view to providing these islanders with a steamer service more in keeping with modern conditions.

Mr. Barnes

I am aware of the desire of the inhabitants of Colonsay for an improved steamer service and I am doing all I can, in consultation with the shipping Company, to restore the pre-war service at an early date. The "Hebrides," which was withdrawn from the service, has now been returned to the Company for her normal employment. This vessel and the "Dunara Castle" require urgent overhaul. While these overhauls are being effected, another cargo vessel has been allocated to the Colonsay service.

Major McCallum

Is the Minister aware that the steamer services to this island and to all the other Hebridean islands are far worse than they were in 1914? Would he reconsider going further into the question of these steamer services?

Mr. Barnes

I am not aware of what the position was in 1914. Did the hon. and gallant Member mean before 1914, or during the 1914– 18 war?

Major McCallum

Before the 1914–18 war.

Sir Ronald Ross

Is the Minister aware that all these steamer services from Scotland going to Derry are either worse than then, or, in the case of the Glasgow—Derry service, non-existent?

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