§ 5. Mr. Stodartasked the Postmaster-General how many sacks of mail were dispatched during 1961 to and from stations between Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh and Glasgow and Mallaig, respectively.
§ Miss PikeAbout 220,000 between Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh, and about 90,000 between Glasgow and Mallaig.
§ Mr. StodartIs my hon. Friend aware of the widespread fears that exist in Scotland that these two lines may be subject to closure? Has her Department investigated any alternative methods of carrying the mail which would be as reliable as those which are being used at present?
§ Miss PikeI think that we all recognise the fears that people have about their communications, particularly in the Western Highlands. Certainly our Department keeps in very close touch with the British Transport Commission, and should anything happen alternative 381 arrangements would be made. I can only tell may hon. Friend at present that these things are all very much in the future, and all we can do is hope that we get the best solution.
§ Mr. John MacLeodWill my hon. Friend ensure that her colleagues take special note of this, because the present system is much more economic for her Department than anything that we can visualise in the near future?
§ Miss PikeI can assure my hon. Friend that when I say that we are working very closely with the British Transport Commission I mean that it is the economic handling of mails that we have in the forefront of our minds.