§ MR. M'GHEE (Louth, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he will now state the difference in time in the departure of the Irish mail train from Euston Station to Holyhead from what it formerly was, when the present time for posting letters from the House of Commons for Ireland was first fixed; and if he will explain why Members of Parliament derive no advantage by the later departure of the Irish mail train from London; and, if he will make inquiry with the view of extending the time for posting letters to Ireland from the House of Commons.
§ MR. ANSTRUTHER (for Mr. HANBURY)The difference in time in the Irish mail train from Euston Station to Holyhead is 25 minutes, that is, the departure is at 8.45 p.m. instead of 8.20 p.m., but the difference for mail purposes is only 15 minutes, as the Scotch mail train at 8.30 p.m. formerly carried the Irish mails as far as Crewe, where it overtook the Irish mail train. The reason why the time of posting Irish letters at the House of Commons has not been extended was explained to the honourable Member in reply to a former Question on the 9th March.