§ Sir W. Smilesasked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that many people will be deprived of holidays owing to the lack of steamer accommodation between Northern Ireland and Great Britain; and if he will increase the number of passenger ships or allow passenger-carrying motor-boats to ply between Donaghadee and Port Patrick, provided passengers have a valid travel permit and report to the police stations in Donaghadee and Port Patrick.
§ Mr. BarnesI am aware that with the advance into the holiday season there is growing pressure on the steamship services to Northern Ireland, and everything possible is being done to increase the number of passenger ships on these routes. No further increases beyond those mentioned in the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Londonderry (Sir R. Ross) on 24th June can at the moment be indicated with the exception that during August there will he a nightly sailing, excepting Sundays, between Liverpool and Belfast, in place of the present sailing four times a week in each direction. Motor boats could not comply with the conditions laid down under the Merchant Shipping Acts for vessels carrying passengers between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.