§ Sir W. Smilesasked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he is aware that there is considerable delay in the delivery of letters from London to towns in County Down; and if he will take steps to improve this.
§ Mr. BurkeYes, Sir. I regret that as a result of the war the present service to Northern Ireland is inferior to the pre war service. The service was improved in certain respects on 1st October, and my Noble Friend intends to make further improvements when staff and transport facilities allow. A return to pre-war1718W standards cannot take place for some time.
§ Sir W. Smilesasked the Assistant Postmaster-General if any letters are carried on the Railway Air Services aeroplane which leaves Croydon at 10 a.m. for Belfast.
§ Mr. BurkeNo, Sir. The air mail despatch to Belfast is carried on the aeroplane which leaves Liverpool at 8.30 a.m. This service enables letters for Belfast to be delivered on the day of arrival. Conveyance by the 9.45 a.m. plane from Croydon would not provide for delivery until the day following receipt in Belfast.