§ MR. ASHLEYI beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether it is the practice of the Post Office to make any voluntary or other contribution to the upkeep of public ferries in respect of user of those ferries by servants of the Post of Office; and whether he is prepared to make such a contribution to the Knott End ferry, which is maintained at great expense by the Fleetwood Urban District Council.
§ CAPTAIN NORTON (Newington, W.; for Mr. SYDNEY BUXTON)It is not the practice of the Post Office to make any contribution to the upkeep of ferries which Post Office servants are entitled to use free of charge, and I am unable to sanction such a contribution in respect of the use made of 776 the Knott End ferry by postmen or telegraph messengers on duty, who are expressly exempted from payment by the Fleetwood Improvement Act of 1893. Post Office servants not employed on the conveyance of mails or telegrams pay the usual fare.
§ MR. ASHLEYIn view of the fact that the Treasury, although not legally liable, pay rates in respect of public buildings and Royal palaces, will the question of the ferries be reconsidered?
§ CAPTAIN NORTONI will lay it before the Postmaster-General.