§ MR. SEXTONasked the Postmaster General, What stage the negotiations between his predecessor and the Midland Railway Company of Ireland, with reference to the establishment of an improved day Mail Service between Dub- 429 lin and the West of Ireland, had reached when the present Government came into office; whether he has noted that, under the present system, the merchants and traders of the West of Ireland are subjected to a delay of twenty-four hours in dealing with letters and orders; whether the sum in dispute between the Department and the Company for the annual cost of the improved service is only about £2,000; and, whether, in deference to the desire of the Irish Members of all parties, steps will be taken to close the arrangement with the Company?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Lord JOHN MANNERS)The Midland Great Western Railway Company demanded a sum of £14,700 a-year in addition to the existing payments for a complete scheme providing for the desired acceleration of the day mail service with the West of Ireland; but my Predecessor was of opinion that the utmost payment that the circumstances would warrant was £7,000 a-year. This was accordingly offered to the Company, who declined it. With the view, how-ever, of coming to a settlement if possible, it was thought right to make a proposal under which a less complete measure of improvement would have been effected for a payment to the Company of £6,000 a-year; but they still did not see their way to meet the views of the Department, and demanded £9,000 a-year. I can find no grounds for differing from the opinion which my Predecessor formed on the subject after repeated consideration, and I regret that I can hold out little expectation of an agreement with the Railway Company, unless they will consent to an abatement of their demand. I am aware that an improved day mail service would prevent considerable delay, and by affording an opportunity for reply the same day would accelerate some portion of the correspondence by 24 hours.