COLONEL M'CALMONT (Antrim, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether the attention of the Postmaster General has been drawn to the constant irregularity of the mail service between London and the north of Ireland by Stranraer and Larne; whether he is aware that the connection between Larne and Ballymena missed twenty-four times in September, and every day for the first fortnight of this month, thus causing serious inconvenience to business men and others, who rely on the punctual carrying out of the service; whether the delay almost invariably takes place south of Carlisle; and whether means can be taken to enforce the observance of the official time-table.
§ MR. HANBURYThe working of the mail service between London and the north of Ireland, by way of Stranraer and Larne, is no doubt irregular. There were seventeen failures of connection with Ballymena during last month, and there have been twelve already during the present month. A part of the delay has occurred south of Carlisle, and a part on subsequent stages of the journey. An arrangement has recently been made by the London and North Western Railway 496 Company for securing a more punctual arrival at Carlisle, and it is understood that as regards the service from Carlisle northwards the companies responsible have for some time past been making special enquiry with a view of providing a remedy.