§ Mr. Hoggasked the Minister of War Transport whether he will arrange that those who are in a position to establish a reasonable family claim to visit their relatives may have better facilities for travel to Ireland.
§ Mr. BarnesExisting services for civilian travel to Eire and Northern Ireland (of which I am sending the hon. Member a list) are the best that can be provided with the shipping accommodation at present available. So far as can be judged from the applications for sailing tickets, the great majority of applicants can adduce family claims to visit relatives in Ireland, and it would be impracticable for the railway and shipping companies to allocate priorities among the claimants. On the principal services, however, accommodation is reserved for a limited number of urgent compassionate cases to be given travel facilities at the ports.
§ Sir W. Allenasked the Minister of War Transport whether he is aware of the lack of transport between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, because of which, food freight and passengers are delayed an unreasonable time; and if he will confer with the authority concerned with the view to releasing the ships usually operating between Northern Ireland and Great Britain for the complete restoration of prewar services.
§ Mr. BarnesServices to Northern Ireland have necessarily sufferd with others owing to the need to use shipping for operational requirements. Subject to any difficulties in effecting repairs, another vessel is expected to go into service early in September and efforts will continue to be made to increase these services further as vessels can be released from military use.