§ 63. Mr. LARDNERasked if the Postmaster-General can state what is the cause of the delay in delivering letters in London which have been posted in the town of Monaghan before six o'clock p.m. on the day previous; whether he is aware that up till about two years ago such letters were always delivered in London in the forenoon, but that during the last two years these letters are not delivered until late in the afternoon; whether he will cause inquiries to be made with a view to discovering what is the cause of this delay; and whether he will take steps to prevent a recurrence in future, as the delay has been the cause of annoyance and trouble to merchants and others in the town of Monaghan corresponding with persons in London?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELLetters for London posted in Monaghan before 6 p.m. were formerly sent by the 6.12 p.m. train to Portadown for dispatch viâ Greenore, and, except on occasions when that train arrived too late at Portadown for it there to make a connection with the 6.50 p.m. train, were delivered in London the next forenoon. On the 11th March last the 6.50 p.m. train from Belfast to Greenore, which was not under the control of the Post Office, was discontinued, and letters from Monaghan cannot now reach London in time for morning delivery unless they are posted before 2.35 p.m., in which case they fall into the first delivery. I am informed that the railway company has no immediate intention of restoring the 6.50 p.m. train, and I regret that I am not in a position therefore to improve the existing arrangements.
§ Mr. LARDNERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that at present the 6.50 p.m. train is running?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELNo, Sir; I have information to the contrary.
§ Mr. LARDNERIt is a fact.
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI will make further inquiry.