HC Deb 07 August 1890 vol 348 cc103-4
MR. SEXTON

I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether he is aware that the mails to Belfast and the North of Ireland, viâ Holyhead, due in Belfast before noon, were hours late three days last week, on the first occasion being delivered after 2 o'clock, on the second, in some parts of Belfast, after 4 o'clock, and on the third occasion, Saturday last, after 2 o'clock, when all the banks were closed, and the banking of remittances by merchants was, in consequence, suspended from Friday to Tuesday, Monday being a Bank Holiday; whether he is aware that on all these occasions the mails conveyed by the Stranraer route were delivered without delay; whether the President and Secretary of the Belfast Chamber of Commerce have represented that great dissatisfaction exists in Belfast on the subject of the mail service viâ Holyhead; whether, with regard to the case laid before him by a deputation from Ulster, on the 24th of June last, he has applied to the companies for estimates; and, if so, when, and whether any, and, if so, what, replies have been received; and whether, in view of the urgency of the case, the decision upon it can be announced?

SIR HERBERT MAXWELL

In reply to the questions of the hon. Member for West Belfast and the hon. Member for South Londonderry, I beg to state that the Post Office is aware that complaints have been made by the Belfast Chamber of Commerce of the late arrivals of the English mails viâ Holyhead at Belfast, in consequence of fogs and pressure of holiday traffic. The service on the whole, however, is performed with admirable regularity. No com- plaint has been received of delays by the Stranraer route. The Postmaster General has not called for the estimates alluded to, but will consider any offer which may be made to him for the conveyance of mails according to a fixed time table by the Stranraer route.

MR. SEXTON

Did not the Postmaster General declare in the Debate upon the Post Office Estimates that he had not yet received estimates from the Railway Companies? Although a deputation waited upon the right hon. Gentleman six weeks' ago, it would appear that no application has yet been made to the Railway Companies. What is the cause of the delay?

SIR HERBERT MAXWELL

I am afraid that I can offer no further explanation. My responsibility in the matter ends with the answer I have given.