§ MR. M'GOVERNI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, is he aware that the Post Office authorities in the year 1892 offered the Cavan and Leitrim Railway Company parcels rates for the conveyance of the mails over their line of railway; that the weight of the mails carried has increased from 106 cwt. in 1893 to 151 cwt. 3 qrs. in 1900, and that the amount of the subsidy paid by the Post Office to the company for carrying the mails is only £30; and, seeing that the company, if paid parcels rates, would be entitled to a sum of £71 17s. 3d. for carrying these mails, will the postal authorities consent to give parcels rates in future, or leave the amount to be paid to the company in future for this service to arbitration.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINThe circumstances under which the Cavan and Leitrim Railway Company were some years ago offered payment for the conveyance of a few mail bags at parcel rates have already been explained to the hon. Member. There has been an increase in the weight of the mails forwarded over this line since 1893, and the Postmaster General on several occasions has offered to increase the payment for the service from £30 to £40 a year. He would, however, not be justified in making any advance upon the latter amount. The hon. Member, as a director of the company, is, of course, aware that it is open to them to appeal 953 to the Railway Commissioners to fix the amount of payment.