§ MR. R. L. HARMSWORTHI beg to ask the Postmaster - General if he will state whether the contract for the conveyance of the mails between Wick and Lybster, in the county of Caithness, has been re-let to the present contractor at an increased sum; and if he will explain why the mails; should not be more expeditiously conveyed by rail instead of by road as at present.
§ THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. SYDNEY BUXTON, Tower Hamlets, Poplar)The contract for the mail service by road between Wick and Helmsdale recently expired; and, although the service was advertised, the railway company were not prepared to submit a tender within the time laid down. As the matter was urgent, it was necessary to accept a tender from the former contractor, at a higher rate, for a service by road; but a separate contract has been made for the Wick and Lybster section in order that, if at any time the railway company made a satisfactory offer, that part of the service could be transferred to them. I am now in communication with the company on the subject.