asked the Postmaster-General whether he will bear in mind, when negotiating the new mail contracts for the Hebridean mail services, the necessity for providing for the accommodation of the increasing tourist traffic, especially to the more distant islands?

I have been asked to reply. All aspects of the traffic to the islands will be borne in mind.

Will the Secretary of State for Scotland do what he can to raise the present low standard of ships carrying mails to the islands?

Oh, yes we are now actively engaged in negotiations.