§ Mr. LAMONTasked the Postmaster-General whether he will state the terms of the present mail contract with the Campbeltown Steam Packet Company and the period for which it endures; whether satisfactory arrangements have been made 714W for the carriage of the mails to Loch Ranza and Pirn Mill during the month of November, 1909; and whether, when the contract expires, he will invite tenders for the carriage of the Campbeltown and West of Arran mails?
§ Mr. SYDNEY BUXTONThe contract with the Campbeltown and Glasgow Steam Packet Company provides for two services a day between Greenock and Campbeltown, in each direction, during a period of three months in the summer, and one service a day during the remainder of the year. The steamers are scheduled to call at Lochranza, Pirnmill and Carradale, on all trips, except that calls at intermediate ports may be omitted on the return journey from Cambeltown during the month of November, when one of the steamers is withdrawn for overhauling. I am glad to say, however, that the contractors propose to maintain the intermediate calls during November this year on both trips. The mail service both to and from Lochranza and Pirnmill will, therefore, be satisfactory. The contract is terminable on six months' notice, and should it become necessary to reconsider the arrangements for the service, I will, of course, bear in mind the question of obtaining tenders.