§ MR. CATHCART WASON (Orkney and Shetland)I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that on Monday, 25th April, the mail steamer from Orkney was ordered out of her course, and that inconsequence the train connection south was lost at Wick, with the result that the mails of the whole county were detained for one day; and, if so, will he inquire upon whose instructions the captain acted.
§ THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Lord STANLEY,) Lancashire, WesthoughtonI have made inquiry on this subject, and it is stated by the captain of the mail steamer from Orkney that owing to the state of the weather on the 25th ultimo, he was obliged to proceed to Wick instead of Scrabster, and that it was only when he found that the connection at Wick with the train would be lost in any case that he decided to call at Switha. The permission given by the Post Office on this occasion was that the steamer might 893 call at Switha if no appreciable delay would be caused to the mail service.
§ MR. CATHCART WASONWill the right hon. Gentleman direct that these calls shall not be made in the future?
§ LORD STANLEYIt is a convenience to some people at the cost of no inconvenience to others. I cannot think any harm is done.
§ MR. CATHCART WASONA large number of passengers were detained a whole day at Wick.