§ MR. MACARTNEY (Antrim, S.)I beg to ask the Postmaster General 1679 whether his attention has been called to the frequent delay of the mails between Strabane and the Town of Donegal and the western parts of Donegal; whether the delay arises from local causes or otherwise; and if any steps can be taken to secure more punctual delivery in future?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. A. MORLEY,) Nottingham, E.I am aware that there have been several recent failures of junction resulting in delay to the mails for the Town of Donegal, and that the arrangements for serving West Donegal by railway which commenced on the 1st of October have not proved so advantageous as was expected. The failures of junction arise from loss of time on the line between Portadown and Derry, on which a number of connections have to be maintained, and which is worked under the difficulties attendant upon a single line of railway. But the Department is in communication with the Railway Company, and all that is possible is being done to improve matters. In regard to the West Donegal Service, the existing arrangements, though not altogether free from drawback, will, it is believed, provide against a class of delays during the winter season which under the former arrangements were unavoidable.