asked the Postmaster-General whether he will investigate the circumstances that arose at Lochboisdale, South Uist, on the 2nd ultimo, owing to the failure of the mail steamer "Plover" to convey passengers who wished to proceed from Lochboisdale to Castle Bay on urgent business; and, in view of the hardship and expense occasioned by such a deviation from the usual route, is he prepared to make representations to the mail contractors who, by reason of the mails subsidy for conveyance of His Majesty's mails, have a monopoly of the goods and passenger service, to avert a recurrence of like circumstances, and in future to ensure that local officials are notified in advance of any necessary departure from the customary sailings?

I am having this matter investigated, and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will state in detail the improvements secured under the new contract for the mail service in the Western Isles?

The mail arrangements in the Western Isles are somewhat complicated. I am sending the hon. Member copies of the scheduled services under the old and new contracts; and I shall be glad to give him any further information which he may desire after he has seen the schedules.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of creating a special sub-department to deal with the Western Islands of Scotland?

Will the right hon. Gentleman, during the Recess, make a point of visiting this part of Scotland and seeing for himself exactly what the difficulties are?

Will the right hon. Gentleman insure his life before he goes on these boats?