§ MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that extra postage is required to be paid upon letters and newspapers intended for despatch by the Irish night 337 mail if handed in at London central offices after 6 o'clock for letters, and 5.30 for newspapers, and that newspapers must be paid on at letter rates if handed in after 5.30 p.m.; and whether, in view of the fact that the Irish mail does not leave Euston until 8.20 p.m., arrangements can be made to allow of posting letters and papers at later hours than is now the case?
§ MR. HANBURYLate fees are required to be paid upon letters and newspapers intended for despatch by the Irish night mail if posted at London central offices after 6 p.m. for letters and 5.30 p.m. for newspapers. For newspapers the late fee at the Chief Office, St. Martin's-le-Grand, is ¼d. up to 6.45 p.m., and ½d. up to 7.15 p.m., but newspapers for the Irish night mail with a late fee of ½d. may also be posted at the West Central District Office up to 7.45 p.m., and at the North Western District Office up to 8 p.m. There is no late posting at other district offices for these newspapers. If, however, newspapers are paid at letter rates, they are, of course, entitled to the same advantages as letters. The hours of posting in London for the night mails are already as late as it is possible to make them, and the Postmaster General regrets that no extension of time is feasible in the case of the Irish mail.
§ MR. HANBURYI will see if that can be done.