HC Deb 27 February 1885 vol 294 cc1608-10
MR. CRAIG-SELLAR

asked the Postmaster General, If he would state whether the arrangements for accelerating the mails to Scotland have been completed; and, if so, whether he would state generally what that arrangement is?

MR. SHAW LEFEVRE

I am glad to be able to say that I have been able to conclude the negotiations which have been going on for some time past with the London and North-Western and Caledonian Railways for the acceleration of the Scotch Mails, and for several other improvements. This will be secured partly by a special train to Perth every evening starting at 8.30, from which passengers will be excluded, and by means of additional trains both for mails and passengers. As an illustration, I may say that the mails will arrive at Aberdeen 40 minutes earlier than at present, and be despatched from thence more than two hours later; and nearly all the towns in Scotland will also benefit. The benefit will not be confined to Scotland, as it will admit of letters for Lancashire and North Wales being posted in London much later than at present. Substantially, there will be six mail trains from London to the North in lieu of two, as at present. I have every confidence that all the complicated arrangements rendered necessary by this can be completed about the end of June next, and will come into effect on the 1st of July. As many hon. Members will be interested in this matter, I will lay on the Table of the House a Paper giving the full details of the arrangements.

MR. BARRAN

asked the Postmaster General, Whether he has succeeded in making arrangements to facilitate the transmission of mails between the Continent and Yorkshire, in accordance with the request of the important deputation which waited on him a short time since, representing all the manufacturing towns of the county?

MR. SHAW LEFEVEE

promised to reply to the Question on Monday.

MR. SEXTON

I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman, Whether, when he replies on Monday to the Question of the hon. Member, he will undertake also to reply to a Memorial signed by a number of Members of Parliament with regard to the acceleration of the mail service between Dublin and the West of Ireland?

MR. SHAW LEFEVRE

The question of the acceleration of the mails to the West of Ireland is under consideration. I am sorry to say that the terms made by the Midland Railway Company are very high.

MR. HARRINGTON

Might I ask the right hon. Gentleman, Whether he is taking into consideration a Memorial from the inhabitants of Tralee and other portions of Kerry, seeing that he has in this case two Railway Companies to choose between?

MR. SHAW LEFEVRE

Perhaps the hon. Member will ask the Question on Monday.