§ MR. J. G. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, if he will state how often the steamer, which is under contract to carry Her Majesty's mails to and from Stornoway as a speed of 11 sea miles an hour, has been late in her arrival at Kyleakin and Stornoway respectively during the months of February and March; and will he state how often the delay exceeded half an hour, and the maximum delay on any one occasion?
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. R. W. HANBURY,) PrestonThe packet between Kyleakin and Stornoway has been late, during the months of February and March, 18 times at Kyleakin and 46 times at Stornoway. The delay exceeded half an hour 12 times at Kyleakin, and 16 times at Stornoway. The maximum delay took place with the packet leaving Kyleakin on the 15th February when, owing to a severe storm, she was obliged to put into Portree for 1192 shelter, and did not reach Stornoway until 12.25 p.m. on the 16th February. On the 15th February there was consequently no dispatch from Stornoway.