§ Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the Postmaster-General whether he will take steps to have restored the more frequent daily service of pre-war years to the Southern Isles of the Outer Hebrides, while retaining Mallaig, Kyle, and Oban as the mainland connections?
§ Sir W. WomersleyFull use is being made for mail purposes of the existing steamer services to the Southern Isles of the Outer Hebrides. More frequent sailings would not be justified solely on postal grounds.
§ Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the Postmaster-General whether he will make a statement on the position of the postal amenities of the village of Laxay, Lochs, Isle of Lewis, including money order and telephone facilities?
§ Sir W. WomersleyThe postal delivery and collection services at Laxay, consisting of one delivery and one despatch provided on each week day, are similar to those obtaining in the remainder of the rural district in Lewis. The extension of money order facilities to Laxay Sub Post Office could not be justified by the very small amount of business likely to be transacted. Telephone call office facilities are provided at Laxay Post Office.
§ Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the Postmaster-General whether he will state the number of sub-postmasters in the isles of Lewis, Harris, Benbecula, North Uist, South Uist, and Barra, respectively, and make a statement regarding their position for purposes of unemployment insurance and pension or superannuation and status?
§ Sir W. WomersleyThe numbers of sub-post offices in the islands mentioned are: 659W
Lewis … … 32 Harris … … 7 Benbecula … … 3 North Uist … … 10 South Uist … … 14 Barra … … 5 The holders of these offices are in the same position as other sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses in the United Kingdom. A sub-postmaster is not insurable under the National Health and Unemployment Insurance Schemes, unless he renders on the average 18 or more hours personal service to the Post Office weekly and is mainly dependent for his livelihood on his Post Office earnings. He is not eligible for any award under the Superannuation Acts, but if he is insured under the National Health and Pensions Scheme he is of course eligible for an Old Age Pension at the age of 65.