§ MR. M'CARTAN (Down, S.)asked the Postmaster General, Whether letters from England and Dublin, sent by limited mail to Belfast, are delivered at Newtownards, Downpatrick, Ballynahinch, and the other principal towns in North Down and East Down, in time to have replies forwarded by limited mail from Belfast to Dublin on same day; whether a reasonable offer has been already made by the Directors of the Belfast and County Down Railway Company to carry the mails to these districts in time to have replies forwarded by limited mail to Dublin on same day; and, whether the Postmaster General will make provision to have these important districts supplied with such a postal service as will enable the people to have replies to their English letters forwarded on the day of delivery?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES) (Cambridge University)Newtownards, Downpatrick, Ballynahinch, and the other towns referred to by the hon. Member are not at present able to reply the same day to letters from England and Dublin. The Department has been for some time in negotiation with the Belfast and County Down Railway Company with the view of obtaining an improvement of the service, and the matter is still under consideration. I have also been for some time in communication with my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for North Down (Colonel Waring) on the subject.