HC Deb 30 April 1897 vol 48 c1347
MR. J. J. CLANCY (Dublin Co., N.)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing, the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that the London and North Western Railway Company have arranged to run their express trains between Euston and Holyhead at a greatly increased rate of speed, so as to save more than an hour's time on the journey each way; and, if so, why is it that a similar saving of time cannot be effected in the case of the mail trains, so as to allow of a later departure from Dublin and Euston, especially in the mornings?

MR. HANBURY

There is reason to believe that the London and North Western Railway Company intend to accelerate the speed of their express trains between London and Holyhead on the 1st May, and some of these will then perform the journey in rather less time than the corresponding mail trains. The stops of the mail trains, however, are necessarily more numerous and somewhat longer than those of the accelerated trains in connection with the North Wall boats, and to this is mainly due the longer time that will be occupied on the journey. The hon. Member is, no doubt, aware that the day mail trains between London and Holyhead have not been accelerated, as no such postal advantages would have been gained therefrom as to justify the additional expense.