§ 8. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the effect of the agreement which he announced recently of a grant of £8,000 to the Orkney Steam Navigation Co. upon the regular sea services between Aberdeen and Orkney and Shetland.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Gilmour Leburn)None, Sir. The agreement did not directly concern these services.
§ Mr. HughesThen what is the purpose of the agreement? What effect would it have on the trade, industry and re-population of the North of Scotland? Why was the agreement entered into?
§ Mr. LeburnThe assistance was given to the Orkney Steam Navigation Company to enable a ship employed on services to the North Isles of Orkney to continue in service until the end of 1961 when the services were taken over by a new company.