asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the mail from Montreal arriving at Belfast on 18th February was found to have been tampered with; how many postal packets are missing; what is the estimated value of the missing packets; and whether he can give any information as to the circumstances of this occurrence?

It is the case that a mail from Montreal which arrived at Belfast on 18th February was found to have been tampered with. One hundred registered packets appear to be missing, but, so far as has been ascertained, none is of high value. It cannot yet be said at what stage in transmission the loss occurred; but inquiries in the matter are being pursued.