§ MR. M'KILLOP (Sligo, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he can state on what date the estimate was passed for the erection of a new post office in Sligo, when the tenders were invited for the erection of the building, whether the advertisements were inserted in the local papers, and, if so, can he explain the cause of delay in proceeding with the work; and, if any correspondence has passed between the Sligo Trades Council and the postal authorities relative to this matter, will he state its nature, and whether the Board of Works have replied to the communications on the subject.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINThe estimate of cost for the erection of the new post office in Sligo was sanctioned by the Lords of the Treasury in June, 1899, and tenders were called for by advertisement, in two local newspapers amongst others, in June, 1900. A tender was accepted in November last, but it turned out that the contractor was not in a position to proceed with the work, and it has been necessary to determine the contract. The Board of Public Works are negotiating with the next lowest tenderers, and it is hoped that the building will be proceeded with shortly. Two communications have been received from the Sligo Trades Council on the subject of the delay in this case, and were duly answered. It is understood that another communication has been addressed to the Board of Public Works, but it is not known whether the Board have replied to it.