14. Colonel CRAIGasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that discontent is being occasioned by the irregularities in the dispatch and receipt 281 of postal and telegraphic communications in Ulster, where the situation has been and is quite normal; whether he is aware that telegrams are accepted in post offices in the ordinary way, and yet delayed in transmission for as much as twenty-four and thirty-six hours, without any notice being given to the senders; and whether he will give orders that information be given to senders of telegrams of any probable delay in transmission, and take steps to restore the full service as soon as possible?
Mr. PIKE PEASETelegraphic communication with Ulster has been restricted as a result of the recent storms, and late events in Ireland have thrown additional work on the telegraph circuits still available. The delay to which the hon. Member refers occurred at a time when the extent of the "delay" could not be foreseen from hour to hour. As explained to the hon. Member for Mid-Armagh on the 5th April, "delay" is a variable quantity changing from hour to hour, and particulars of "delay" at a specified moment might shortly after be very misleading. The latest report I have shows a delay of telegrams to Ulster of about an hour and a half. Postal communication with Ulster is now practically restored to its normal conditions.
§ Mr. GINNELLWill the hon. Gentleman say why telegrams sent ten days ago to other parts of Ireland have not been delivered, and why no communication has been made to the senders?
§ Mr. GINNELLI will send the hon. Gentleman the bill for the money paid.
§ Mr. RONALD McNEILLWould the hon. Gentleman be surprised to hear I received a letter this morning from county Antrim which was posted on Easter Sunday?
§ Sir H. NORMANAre private telegrams not received in Dublin?