§ MR. T. J. HEALY (Wexford, N.)I beg to ask the Postmaster General if he is aware that the mail train from Dublin to Wexford takes three hours and thirty-five minutes to perform a journey of 92 miles, and stops at 18 stations; if any other trunk line in the United Kingdom runs a mail train which stops, on an average, once in every five miles; if he is aware that numerous complaints have been made by the merchants and traders in the County Wexford as to the inadequacy of the present mail service; and if he is prepared to take any steps to improve it?
§ * SIR J. FERGUSSONThe statement as regards the running of the day mail train from Dublin to Wexford is correct. This is the less important of the two mail trains. There is one other trunk line upon which the mail train stops once in every five miles. Numerous representations have been made respecting the slowness of the Wexford service, and the Department has of late materially improved it by adopting special arrangements for sorting on the railway and employing additional force. Indeed, everything possible has been done to meet the complaints, made short of quickening the running of the train, and it is regretted that the additional outlay required for that purpose is far beyond what the circumstances would warrant.
§ MR. T. J. HEALYWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether he will advise that any grant should be made, and, if so, to what amount?
§ * SIR J. FERGUSSONI am sorry to say there is at present a loss on the service, and it is impossible that more can be done to accelerate the time.