§ MR. CORRYasked the Postmaster General, Whether any resolution has been arrived as to the tenders for the Irish Mail Service viâ Holyhead and Dublin; and, if so, whether he can hold out any expectation that the urgent public demand for postal communication to and front the North of Ireland by the short sea route viâ Stranraer and Larne will be favourably entertained?
§ MR. FAWCETTSir, the Government is not in a position to announce a decision in reference to the tenders for the Irish Mail Service viâ Holyhead and Dublin. Until it is, I do not deem it 541 expedient to come to any conclusion in reference to the Memorials for a sea route viâ Stranraer and Larne.
§ MR. TOTTENHAMWill the right hon. Gentleman name any date for communicating the decision to the House? On this day fortnight, he said he would state the result in a few days.
§ MR. FAWCETTI hoped, at that time, that it would be given in a very few days; and I think the House will see, when they are made acquainted with the Papers, that there has been no delay by the Government. I still hope to be able to announce the decision in the course of a very few days; but I cannot give any positive pledge, because there are still one or two points. There is no delay. We are doing everything we can.
§ MR. CALLANasked, whether the delay had been caused by the Post Office or the Treasury?
§ MR. FAWCETTIt is not the fault of either. Both are working very hard. There are some complicated matters to be settled.