MR. MICHAEL AUSTIN (Limerick, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether similar arrangements are being made by the Great Southern and Western Railway Company (Ireland) for the conveyance of third-class passengers by the mail trains, as introduced by the London and North Western Railway Company under the new accelerated mail service to Holyhead?
* MR. HANBURYThe Postmaster General has no knowledge that arrangements are being made by the Great Southern and Western Railway Company (Ireland) for the conveyance of third-class passengers by the mail trains. The Postmaster General would welcome the conveyance of third-class passengers by mail trains of the Great Southern and Western Railway Company provided that punctuality in the working were maintained, but the matter is one for the decision of the railway company.
MR. MICHAEL AUSTINCan the right hon. Gentleman say how a passenger taking a third-class ticket at Euston can travel to Cork without paying an extra fare at Kingsbridge?
§ MR. PATRICK J. O'BRIEN (Tipperary, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he can inform the House if any arrangement has yet been come to with the Great Southern and Western Railway Company to carry out the proposal for the acceleration of the mails to the southern districts of Roscrea, Nenagh, and Birr; and if he is aware that the Traffic Manager of the Company has intimated that the directors are prepared to entertain any reasonable proposal from the Post Office towards that object?
* MR. HANBURYNo arrangement has yet been come to with the Great Southern and Western Railway Company for the 525 acceleration of the mails to Roscrea, Nenagh, and Birr, but the matter is engaging attention. The Postmaster General is not aware that the Traffic Manager of the Company has intimated that the Directors are prepared to entertain any reasonable proposal from the Post Office on the subject.