Dr. MURRAYasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Treasury have declined to sanction the continuance of the daily steamer service between Stornoway and the mainland beyond the 31st October; whether he is aware that there has been a daily service on this route for about 40 years and that the business and trade of the community have increased enormously during that period; that the principal herring fishing season takes place during the winter and that the reduction of the postal and passenger services will be a serious handicap to that industry; and whether, with a view to averting a serious blow to the economic life of the town and island, he will take steps to ensure that the daily service be continued all the year round as in previous years?
§ Mr. BALDWINI have been asked to reply to this question. The answer to the first part is in the affirmative. After full consideration of all the circumstances, I did not feel justified in authorising an addition of some £7,000 per annum to the present large subsidy for the Hebridean mail services in order to provide a six-days-a-week instead of a three-days service to Stornoway during the winter months.