HC Deb 22 March 1898 vol 55 cc571-2
MR. JAMES ROCHE (Kerry, E.)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether his attention has been called to the defective mail delivery and passenger service on the Waterford, Limerick, and Western Railway, as regards Tralee, Ennis, Limerick, and the west coast; whether he has received a copy of a resolution recently passed by the Kerry Grand Jury referring to this matter, and stating that the inadequacy of the Post Office subsidy is largely responsible for the inconvenience caused; and whether he can see his way to increase this subsidy to the small extent required?

MR. HANBURY

The Postmaster General is not aware to what defects in the mail service on the Waterford, Limerick, and Western Railway the hon. Member refers. He has not yet received a copy of the resolution recently passed by the Kerry Grand Jury, but he has no reason to suppose that the alleged inadequacy of the Post Office subsidy can be in any way responsible for the alleged inconvenience. He certainly cannot see his way at the present moment to increase the payment to the Company, which he believes, on the whole, to be commensurate with the service performed.

MR. W. H. K. REDMOND (Clare, E.)

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, in regard to this matter, if the Postmaster General will be prepared to receive a deputation from Tralee, Limerick, Ennis, and other centres affected by this system?

MR. HANBURY

I cannot, of course, answer for the Postmaster General and say whether he will receive a deputation or not. At any rate, I think it would be advisable to wait until he has received a copy of the resolution.

MR. M. J. FLAVIN (Kerry, N.)

Will the right hon. Gentleman convey to the Postmaster General the fact that the grievance has been in existence for the past three or four years, and will he suggest to the Postmaster General that he should receive a deputation?

MR. HANBURY

I am sure every consideration will be given to the matter.

MR. FLAVIN

This grievance has been going on three or four years, and is not yet settled.

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order.