§ MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that the inhabitants of the north side of Little Lochbroom, Ross-shire, recently made application for a daily post, and were informed in reply that the cost of the existing service (four days a week) absorbs nearly the whole of the postage on the correspondence delivered, and that, in these circumstances, the cost of a more frequent delivery would not be warranted; and will he explain the rule which guides him in sanctioning postal facilities for the Western Highlands and Islands of Scotland and other similar districts where the existing postal service does not meet the requirements of the people.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINThe answer to the first paragraph of the question is in the affirmative. In sanctioning additional postal facilities for country districts in England, Scotland, and Ireland, the Postmaster General is guided mainly by the amount of correspondence and the expense involved. It is the practice to provide as good a service as can be afforded at a cost which is considered to be warranted by the circumstances.