MR. LONDSDALE (Armagh, Mid.)I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that most, of the public and commercial bodies in the North of Ireland have petitioned for the establishment of a supplementary mail service daily to England via Greenore; and whether, in response to this demand, he will extend the privilege, already granted to Londonderry, to Armagh, Lurgan, Portadown, and other important towns in Ulster, as well as to the city of Belfast.
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONI am aware that numerous applications have been received from the North of Ireland for the establishment of a supplementary 359 mail service to England by way of Greenore. My predecessor was able to sanction such a service from Londonderry and Newry, but owing to the small amount of correspondence affected, it was not then practicable to afford the facilities to other towns. I will, however, have the subject again examined, with the view of ascertaining whether the circumstances have so changed as to allow me to establish additional despatches.
§ MR. LONSDALEIs it intended to go into the whole, matter again? Commercial men in the North of Ireland are very much interested in this matter. Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to accept the decision of his predecessor?
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONI am not bound by any decision of my predecessor. I intend making full inquiry myself.