§ MR. T. SEXTON (Kerry, N.)I wish to ask the Postmaster General whether an agreement has been come to between his Department and the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company in the matter of the Irish Mail Service, and, if so, whether he can state the annual amount of the subsidy, the term of years, the acceleration of speed, and the power of the boats to be employed?
§ *MR. ARNOLD MORLEYI cannot give the hon. Member all the information he requires, but it is a fact that I have received a communication from the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company accepting the offer I made them. The company suggested that the matter should be referred to a gentleman at the Admiralty who has had great experience in these matters. The whole question was referred to that gentleman, and the opinion he gave has been accepted both by the Department and the company. The effect of the agreement will be to secure an acceleration of half-an-hour in the sea passage in addition to the half-hour already secured in the land portion of the journey. The subsidy will be £100,000 a year, with certain deductions similar to those in the last contract. The contract is for a term of 20 years, after which there will be a reduction in the amount paid. The whole of the facts will be laid before the House and the contract will require its sanction.
§ MR. W. KENNY (Dublin, St. Stephen's Green)asked whether the right hon. Gentleman could say whether under the new arrangements provision would be made for the better accommodation for passengers, particularly the second class?
§ *MR. A. MORLEYreplied, that larger vessels would be provided, and that in all probability the accommodation for 376 passengers of all classes would be better. That provision, however, was not part of the contract.