§ MR. HENNIKER HEATON (Canterbury)asked the Postmaster General, What is the estimated cost of the carriage of the American mails from London to Queenstown and vice versâ; are any mails put on board the regular mail steamships at Liverpool for America; and, if so, what price per lb. is paid for these letters and newspapers, ? what price is paid from Queenstown to America for letters and newspapers; and. what is the estimated difference in the cost of conveyance of mails, if they were all sent from Liverpool to the United 964 States in place of from Queenstown, judging by the weight sent last year?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES) (Cambridge University)I think the House will bear me witness that I have spared no pains to gratify the quotidian curiosity of the hon. Member. But I think he might before this have learnt more consideration for a Public Department than is shown by a six hours' notice of a Question requiring considerable statistical inquiry. If he will put it down for some day next week I will endeavour to answer it.
§ MR. HENNIKER HEATONsaid, the Question was one which could be answered in half-an-hour.