§ MR. CULLINAN (Tipperary, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that the delivery of the morning mails in Tipperary, Bansha, and Cahir has, on several occasions recently, been four hours late owing to the mail trains missing connection at the Limerick Junction, and whether he will have such steps taken as will prevent a recurrence of those delays which cause inconvenience to traders and business men generally.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINIt is presumed that the hon. Member refers to the delay of mails leaving Dublin in the morning. The Postmaster General regrets that on several recent occasions these mails have been late in arrival at Tipperary, Bansha, and Cahir, owing to failure of the connection between mail trains at Limerick Junction. The principal cause of the delay has been the very heavy tourist traffic for Ireland by the night mail train from London. The railway company have on several occasions found it necessary to run this train to Holyhead in two parts, and as the mail packet has to await the arrival of the second part, it could not be despatched until considerably after the appointed time. The London and North Western Railway Company have been urged to take all possible measures for ensuring punctuality; and inquiry shall be made whether any arrangement is practicable for reducing the delay in arrival at the places mentioned, when the mail train is despatched late from Dublin.
§ MR. CULLINANCan the Government, which subsidises the company for carrying the mails, insist on punctuality?
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDIs it not the fact that the Post Office required the morning train to wait forty-five minutes at Kingsbridge, whereas at Limerick Junction it is only kept twenty minutes, and that hence the Waterford 952 and Limerick trains are often compelled to leave before the mail arrives?
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINreplied that the arrangements made were believed to be for the public convenience.
§ MR. FLAVINWhy not compel the company to run a special train from Limerick Junction as they used to?
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINI must have notice of that.
§ MR. FLAVINNext year.