§ Captain DONELANasked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the published announcement that on and after 1st January, 1910, for the remainder of the winter season, the Cunard Company's mail steamers from New York will not call, as heretofore, at Queenstown to land mails and passengers, but will proceed direct to Fishguard; whether he is aware that the proposed alterations will not alone cause delay in the delivery of the Irish mails, but will also cause discomfort to passengers bound to Ireland, who, under the new conditions, must first land at Fishguard and subsequently undertake a second sea passage across the Channel to Rosslare; and whether he will represent to the postal authorities in the United States the loss and inconvenience which must inevitably result from the contemplated change?
§ Mr. BUXTONMy attention has been called to the matter. As my hon. Friend is aware, the Cunard Company is not under contract with my Department in respect of their Eastward voyages, nor do I understand that the United States Post Office is in a position to control the company in respect of their ports of call. As regards postal facilities, I find that during the period in question, as much as 90 per cent, of the mails are for Great Britain and places beyond, and of these the greater part will be accelerated. As regards the Irish mails, there will be, I fear, some delay; but we propose generally to convey them to Ireland by the route Fishguard and Rosslare, thus reducing the delay to a minimum.
§ Captain DONELANMay I ask whether it is not a fact that the loss and inconvenience referred to in the question is not limited to Ireland, but that Scotland is also seriously affected; and do I understand that the right hon. Gentleman does not intend to make any representations to the United States in connection with this matter?
§ Mr. BUXTONNinety per cent, of these mails are for Great Britain and beyond, and the bulk of those are accelerated by the new system. As regards the Irish mails, they are not accelerated, but we are doing our best to meet that difficulty. I do not think there is any advantage in making representations to the United States. We made representations in refer- 366 ence to a somewhat similar matter, and as far as I am aware they have no control over these mail boats.
§ Captain DONELANWould the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of representing to the Postal Authorities in the United States the very serious loss and inconvenience that will be caused to Ireland by this change?
§ Mr. BUXTONI am informed, as I have said, that 90 per cent, of the mails are for Great Britain and beyond, and the bulk of them will be accelerated. I will consider the matter, but I should find it rather difficult to make representations to the American Government when it is clear from the figures before me that the great majority are accelerated. I shall be glad, however, if the hon. Member will give me any facts bearing upon the matter.
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONIs it not a fact that numerous representations have been made to the right hon. Gentleman asking him to avoid the delay by the steamers calling at Queenstown?
§ Mr. BUXTONI have received numerous representations.