MR. CAMERONasked the Postmaster General, Whether he is able to state if arrangements have been made with the Highland Railway Company by which an acceleration of the mails between Perth and the North may be effected; and, whether he is aware of the great loss and inconvenience suffered by those now engaged in the fishing on the West Coast of Scotland, in consequence of the delay in repairing the cable to Stornoway, and if he can hold out any hopes that the cable will be put into working order within a short time?
§ MR. FAWCETT, in reply, said, that no arrangements had been entered into with the Highland Railway Company for the acceleration of the mail referred to; but negotiations were about to be entered into with that Company. With regard to the second part of the Question, the delay in the repair of the cable to Stornoway was due to the difficulty of obtaining a cable ship. He hoped steps would be taken to obviate that difficulty in future. He was glad, however, to be able to state that a few days since a suitable cable vessel was obtained, and that vessel was now being got ready with the greatest speed possible. It would proceed to Stornoway in the course of a day or two, and he hoped no delay would occur again.