HC Deb 24 August 1893 vol 16 cc978-80
MR. MAURICE HEALY (Cork)

I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether he is aware that on the arrival of the Majestic at Queenstown on Tuesday evening last, carrying American mails, the mails had to be taken on to Liverpool, the ordinary train having left, and there being no special service; whether, if there had been a special service, letters could have been replied to by the mail leaving Queenstown on Thursday; and whether this was possible after the delivery of the mails through Liverpool?

MR. A. MORLEY

The Majestic did not bring full mails for the United Kingdom, but only mails for Ireland and such correspondence for London and other parts as had been addressed specially to be sent by the Queenstown route. This, therefore, was not a case in which the through special service to London would have been used. In addition to certain closed mails for through conveyance to the Continent, the Majestic only brought for delivery or treatment in London 10 small bags containing about 2,500 letters.

MR. M. HEALY

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Majestic brought mails for Lancashire and North of England and Scotland other than those mails specially addressed?

MR. A. MORLEY

She brought 151 bags of mails altogether—91 for Ireland, which were landed at Queenstown, 60 bags which wore carried on to Liverpool, and 36 bags which were dropped there for delivery or direct despatch. There were 24 bags, including some closed mails for the Continent, and a number of specially addressed letters which were brought on to London for delivery.

MR. M. HEALY

I do not think the right hon. Gentleman has answered my question, which was whether the Majestic brought mails for the North of England other than mails specially addressed; and, if so, does that indicate any change in the practice of the United States Post Office?

MR. A. MORLEY

The Majestic only brought mails for Ireland not specially addressed. The mails for England were all specially addressed.

MR. MACARTNEY

Can the right hon. Gentleman state at what time the Paris, which left New York about an hour-and-a-half before the Majestic, arrived at Southampton, and how much time elapsed between the landing of the mails and their delivery?

MR. A. MORLEY

I cannot answer that question off-hand; but if the hon. Gentleman desires to know I will endeavour to get the information.

MR. FIELD

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if the special service will be continued in future under the circumstances which gave rise to it?

MR. A. MORLEY

I have already stated that I hope in a very short time to make a statement on the subject.