MR. WILSONsaid, he would beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made in arrangements for completing a telegraphic communication through the Mediterranean to Alexandria, and thence to India, since the dates of the last papers upon the subject, recently laid upon the table of the House.
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERsaid, the Porte had made a concession to certain persons of a line of telegraph from Alexandria to Aden, and Her Majesty's Government were at present in communication with those persons, with the view of continuing the line from Aden to India. If the negotiations were concluded happily—of which he thought there was a probability—the works would be commenced in the autumn.
§ MR. CRAWFORDsaid, he would also beg to inquire what progress has been made in the negotiations for establishing a telegraphic communication from Corfu to Alexandria.
§ MR. G. A. HAMILTONreplied, that the negotiations with the Austrian Government were not yet completed, nor could he say at present what the result might be.