MR. FIELDI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether she can state if any and, if so, how much time it is proposed to save by Irish mail trains between Euston and Holyhead, and vice versâ, under the new contract with the London and North Western Rail way Company, as compared with the existing contract; and, whether it will be arranged that an equally good service will he provided on the Irish mails as on the Scotch mail and express trains as regards speed, accommodation, and third class and dining carriages?
§ * MR. HANBURYIt is proposed to save half-an-hour in the running of the night mail trains between Euston and Holyhead in both directions. It is not proposed to alter the speed of the day mail trains. The Postmaster General is aware of the time taken by the London and North Western Railway Company on the Scotch mail and express trains. The rate of speed of the Scotch night mail between London and Carlisle, as recently accelerated is 47 or 48 miles an hour, of the Irish night mail between Euston and Holyhead the speed at the present time is 43.12 miles an hour, but it will be 46.95 under the acceleration in April next. The rate of speed of the Scotch day mail is 38.18 miles an hour; and of the Irish day mail 43.35 miles an hour. On the whole the comparison as to speed is not unfavourable to the Irish service. As regards passenger accommodation, some communication has passed between the company and the Post Office, but the company cannot see their way to provide for third class passengers. Whether dining carriages can be run is also a question which must be left to the railway company.