§ Mr. GRANTasked the postmaster-General whether he will state why a special postal service from Dava to Glenferness, Nairnshire, which had existed for eleven years, was discontinued in 1909 without any substitute being provided; is he aware that, although the district is within five-and-a-half miles from a railway station, a letter written after 7.30 p.m. will not now be collected till 4.0 p.m. the following afternoon, and reach London two days later, an interval of three days in all; that, on being approached by the Post Office authorities in December, 1908, the Ardclach parish council had represented that the despatch of letters from Glenferness district should be accelerated, and that no reply had ever been received; whether he is aware that in March or April last communications had again been received by the Postmaster-General from the same parish council, and from the parish council of Auldearn, suggesting accelerations of delivery and despatch of mails within the parish of Ardclach and Auldearn, and that a motor mail be run from Nairn to Glenferness via Auldearn, and that no reply has been received; can he say whether such a service will be 1479W established; and, if not, whether other means are to be taken to improve the existing arrangements, and when?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe special service from Dava to Glenferness to which the hon. Member refers was afforded during certain months of the year only, and was discontinued as the circumstances had altered and no longer justified its maintenance. The suggestion made by the Ardclach Parish Council to the district surveyor was carefully considered, but there were practical difficulties which precluded its adoption. Inquiries are being made as regards the improvments indicated in the latter part of the hon. Member's question, which, I understand, involve a considerable readjustment of services, and I will communicate the result to him.