§ DR. CLARK (Caithness)asked the Postmaster General, Whether the contract with the Railway Company expires this summer; and, if so, will he take the opportunity, when making a new contract, of providing for an acceleration of the down London day mail, combined 380 with the Scotch night mail to Wick, Thurso, and Orkney, so as to put the district on a footing of equality with other districts in the North which have been provided with a special train for this mail?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES) (Cambridge University)In reply to the hon. Member, I beg to state than an acceleration of the mail train to Wick to which he refers is not entirely dependent on the cessation or renewal of the contract with the Highland Railway Company. The working of the train can at any time, on a month's notice, be altered under the statutory powers of the Postmaster General. The revenue, however, derived by the Post Office from the County of Caithness does not at present warrant me in taking any course which may add to the expense already incurred in keeping up the posts in those parts.
§ DR. CLARKIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the mail train supplies not only Sutherland, but Orkney and Shetland?
§ MR. RAIKESThat makes no difference.