§ Mr. MAURICE HEALYasked the Postmaster-General how many years have elapsed since the time allowed the mail train for the journey between Cork and Dublin was fixed; whether he is aware that since that date both engine-power and road-bed have been greatly improved; whether, before permitting the railway company an additional thirty-five minutes at Kingsbridge, he at all urged on the company the desirability of expediting the train journey; and whether, in view of the subsidy which the railway company receive for the carriage of the mails, he will take steps to have the train journey accelerated?
§ Mr. J. A. PEASEThe present running times of the morning mail train from Kingsbridge to Cork, and of the afternoon 459W mail train from Cork to Kingsbridge, were fixed twenty-four years ago. The Post Once has not extended the running time between Kingsbridge and Cork. It has, as pointed out in several previous answers, merely fixed a starting time at Kings-bridge corresponding with what is attainable under war conditions. These conditions inevitably retard the arrival of the mail from London. Additional outlay in respect of reduction of running time could not justifiably be incurred in present circumstances.
§ Mr. HEALYasked whether the time allowed to mail trains from London to important English or Scottish provincial centres has been altered since the War; and, if so, in what cases and to what extent?
§ Mr. PEASEThe running time of the ten p.m. train from Euston to the North has been extended by sixty-four minutes.