§ Mr. MACLEANasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that Messrs. MacBrayne, Limited, have intimated that they do not intend to run the usual summer steamboat service between the Broomielaw, Glasgow, and Lochgoilhead; that the summer service 1874W has been in operation for the last 25 years at least and its stoppage will cause great inconvenience to many holiday makers from Glasgow; that it is the intention of the MacBrayne Company to run a small motor-boat, whose carrying capacity is 200 passengers compared with a carrying capacity of 1,600 passengers of the steamer which sailed daily during the summer; and whether he will make representations to the company to continue the service as formerly?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI understand that the service referred to in the first part of the question was a summer tourist service run in supplement to the services of the mail motor-vessel mentioned in the third part, which in July and August makes an additional trip to Lochgoilhead. I understand that the vessel which was chartered for the special summer service has been broken up, and that the company have no steamer available at present. I am also informed that the service has been maintained at considerable loss for some years. As I indicated in the debate last night, I shall inquire further into the matter.