asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the hydroplane suggested for the North Isles service in Orkney.

The hydrofoil built by Aquavion in Holland has qualified for a Class III passenger certificate from the Ministry of Transport and is due to start a two-month period of temporary passenger service in the North Isles of Orkney as an experiment. Unfortunately an engine broke down shortly after the craft arrived in Orkney, and repair may take a little time.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we are naturally greatly interested in the progress of this vessel, whose development is rather overdue, and that we are glad to hear that this further repair may be the last? Can he say whether there is any evidence of its performance in rough water?

We have no direct evidence of its performance in very rough seas and I think that for this reason the certificate will lay down what are regarded as safe operating conditions for it. The whole of the rest of Scotland will be interested in this experiment to see whether there are further ways in which craft of this sort can be used.