HC Deb 03 July 1890 vol 346 c663
MR. MURPHY (Dublin, St. Patrick's)

I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether he is aware that there is a printed notice in the Post Office at Harrogate that letters from "London and all parts (except Ireland)" are delivered on Sundays; whether this rule applies to many other places in England; why should such an exception be made; and why is the promised arrangements for Sunday delivery of Irish letters at Newcastle and Staffordshire not being carried out?

*THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES,) Cambridge University

In reply to the hon. Member, I have to state that there are no trains by which letters despatched from Ireland on Saturday night can reach Harrogate in time for delivery on Sunday morning. There are other trains in the North of England to which the same remarks apply. As regards Newcastle, Staffordshire, arrangements were made in March last for securing the arrival of Irish letters by first post in the morning, and it was believed at the time that these arrangements would be in force every day, but it proved impracticable to give effect to them on Sunday and Monday mornings. I regret that there are at present no means of, providing for a Sunday delivery of Irish letters at Newcastle, Staffordshire.