Q&A
LEAD: Stefan Batory  Question: I understand the Polish Ocean Lines' Stefan Batory is to be retired. Is there to be a replacement for this wonderful ship, which my family has enjoyed the past three summers? - W. B. R., New Paltz, N.Y.  Answer: Polish Ocean Lines is seeking a more modern ship to replace the Stefan Batory, which is to be taken out of service in March.
Stefan Batory  Question: I understand the Polish Ocean Lines' Stefan Batory is to be retired. Is there to be a replacement for this wonderful ship, which my family has enjoyed the past three summers? - W. B. R., New Paltz, N.Y.  Answer: Polish Ocean Lines is seeking a more modern ship to replace the Stefan Batory, which is to be taken out of service in March. An official of the lines' agents in Montreal said she hoped to have news soon of another vessel that would take over the Batory's route between Montreal and London, Rotterdam and Gdynia, Poland. The Batory, formerly the Maasdam of the Holland America Line, was acquired by Polish Ocean, and rebuilt, in 1969; since then it has provided trans-Atlantic service for up to 770 passengers from April to November and cruises in winter.
Its final trans-Atlantic trip from Montreal was Oct. 7. The ship's last voyage will be a cruise to the Caribbean in March. Meanwhile, Polish Ocean Lines offers Atlantic crossings aboard freighters departing every week the year round from New York to Bremerhaven. One-way fares are $740 a person; inquiries should be made to Polish Ocean Lines, c/o Gdynia America Line, 39 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10006; 212-952-1280.  Parliament  Question: While in London in April, I would like to tour Parliament and hear a debate in the House of Lords or the Commons. How can this be arranged? - M. C. S., New City, N.Y.  Answer: Tours of the Houses of Parliament in Westminster are not generally available to visitors. Those who want to listen to a debate in either the Lords or Commons must line up to get a seat in the visitors' gallery of each House. For the Lords, visitors line up at the St. Stephen's entrance for admission, on Monday (if the House is sitting) at 2:30 P.M., on Tueday and Wednesday at 2:30, on Thursday at 3, and on Friday (if sitting) at 11 A.M. At the Commons, the line is admitted from about 4:15 P.M. Monday through Thursday and 10 A.M. Friday. It is advisable to arrive early because of the number of people hoping to get a seat, particularly for the Commons, where the gallery has 156 seats. The Lords has about 100 gallery seats. Members of Parliament sometimes arrange for constituents to obtain admission to the gallery, and V.I.P.'s, including overseas ones, either make arrangements to attend debates or tour Parliament through M.P.'s or their embassy. Parliament used to be open for tours but these were discontinued some years ago for security reasons.  St. Martin  Question: Four of us are vacationing on the Caribbean island of St. Martin and would like suggestions for restaurants to visit and sightseeing. - R. A., Trumbull, Conn.  Answer: Since St. Martin is only 32 square miles, and neither the Dutch nor the French side of the island imposes border formalities, many vacationers visit restaurants and sites in both sections. A tour of both sides by van costs about about $25, although perhaps the best excursion is a day sail around the island. These trips cost about $55, including lunch and open bar. There are scores of eating places. Among Italian restaurants in the Dutch section is La Rosa on Front Street, Philipsburg, offering an extensive menu from lasagne to lobster at from $30 to $50 a person, including wine. Dinner at Le Bec Fin, a French restaurant, also on Front Street, overlooking Great Bay, will be from $30. Residents recommend Calypso at Simpson Bay for local cuisine ($25 to $30).
Philipsburg, a port of call for cruise ships, has a few buildings in Dutch colonial style, including the Town Hall and Post Office dating to 1793. Near the town are the remains of Fort Amsterdam, built on the foundations of a fort originally constructed by the Spanish. There are eight casinos on the Dutch side.
In the French sector, overlooking Oyster Pond, is Captain Oliver's restaurant, with a seaside terrace from which the island of St. Barthelemy is often visible. Jean Dupont, in Port La Royale, the marina in Marigot, is named for the owner, who also runs the more expensive Santal. Here, in what was the Terrasse tearoom, and at Captain Oliver's, dinner will cost $35 to $45 a person, excluding wine. A set price dinner for $37 is served at La Maison sur le Port, in an old island house overlooking the water in Marigot. About 20 restaurants line the only street of the village of Grand Case. One of the more popular, and expensive, places there is the Rainbow; from $50. Reservations are advised (87.55.80).
The French side lacks sightseeing places, although the old Fort St. Louis, offers a panoramic view of Marigot. The steps up to it were restored recently. A show of live eagles and falcons is presented daily on a hilltop at Pointe Pirouette Road. Admission is about $5. The local tourist bureau (87.53.26) can give times.  Books on Quebec  Question: We are visiting the province of Quebec next summer. Are there books that would help us understand the history of the area? - B. S., Ridgefield, Conn.  Answer: A book to be published in English in April will join the list of titles on Quebec's history. It is 'A Short History of Quebec' by Brian Young of McGill University and John A. Dickinson of the University of Montreal. According to the publisher, Copp Clark Pitman, it is the first text in English to deal explicitly with the social and economic development of the province from the first settlers to the present. The 224-page book will cost $14.95 (Canadian), which is about $11.50. (Copp Clark Pitman, 495 Wellington Street West, Toronto M5V 1E9; 416-593-9911).
Among other books that might be helpful are 'The Question of Separation: Quebec and the Struggle Over Sovereignty' by Jane Jacobs (Random House, 1980) and 'The English Fact in Quebec' by Sheila M. Arnopoulos, which focuses on English and other ethnic influences (McGill-Queens University Press, 1980). Among guidebooks that touch on the history of the province are 'Guide to Eastern Canada' by Frederick Pratson (Pequot Globe) and the Michelin Green Guide 'Canada.'
Correction:  February 14, 1988, Sunday, Late City Final Edition