§ MR. YERBURGH (Chester)I beg to ask the Postmaster General, in view of the long period during which the matter has been under consideration, when a settlement of the Irish mail contract may be expected; and whether in such contract due regard will be paid to the requirements of the public convenience by shortening the sea journey by at least half an hour?
§ CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork, E.)I beg to ask the Postmaster General, whether any arrangement has yet been arrived at with the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company for the acceleration of the Irish Mail Service; and, if so, when he expects to be in a position to state the terms of agreement?
§ MR. W. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick)I beg to ask the Postmaster General, whether he is in a position to state the terms of the Irish Mail Contract vid Kingstown and Holyhead; and whether acceleration and increased accommodation will be afforded?
§ *THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. ARNOLD MORLEY, Nottingham, E.)As I have already stated in the House of Commons, it is my desire to obtain under any new contract for the conveyance of the Mails between Holyhead and Kingstown an acceleration of half an hour, together with all requisite accommodation for the Mails, and accommodation 566 for passengers at least equal to that afforded in the Ireland. The negotiations with the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company are still proceeding, and I have written asking the Directors to see me in the course of the next few days. I am glad to take this opportunity of stating that the special service for accelerating the Saturday American Mail will commence on Saturday next. The effect of the acceleration will be to lessen the detention of the mail steamer at Queenstown by about four hours, and probably enable letters to be delivered in New York on Friday, in time to allow of a reply being sent by the homeward mail on Saturday.
§ MR. FIELDCan the right hon. Gentleman mention a specific time within which he can give us the reply for which we have been waiting so long?
§ *MR. A. MORLEYThe negotiations are proceeding. Within the next few days I shall see representatives of the directors, and I hope that that interview will enable me to make a statement to the House, but I do not know whether it will be satisfactory.
§ CAPTAIN DONELANMay we expect a definite statement before Easter?
§ *MR. A. MORLEYIf possible I will make such a statement.
§ MR. W. KENNY (Dublin, St. Stephen's Green)In the new contract has provision been made for better passenger accommodation?
§ *MR. A. MORLEYNo, Sir; I have not felt at liberty to insist on more than I have already stated.
§ MR. W. KENNYHave not representations been made to the right hon. Gentleman on that subject?
§ *MR. A. MORLEYYes, Sir; but there must be some limit to what the Government can reasonably be called upon to demand.
§ MR. FIELDWill care be taken that under any new contract the service shall be as regular and continuous as the the service was before?
§ *MR. A. MORLEYI know that in the past the service has been remarkably regular, and I hope that that regularity will be continued.