§ MR. GREGORYsaid, he wished to put a question to the noble Lord at the head of the Government, of which he had given private notice—namely, Whether any intimation has been given to the Atlantic Steam Navigation Company that the subsidy formerly granted was about to be restored; and if so, whether that intimation has been coupled with the condition that a certain sliding scale of prices was to be attached varying according to the speed of the vessels employed?
§ VISCOUNT PALMERSTONA communication has recently been made from the Treasury to the Galway Company, in accordance with previous intimations, to the effect that if the Admiralty shall report 188 that the company are in a condition, as to vessels, to perform the duty which they propose to undertake, Her Majesty's Government will be prepared to recommend to this Mouse the renewal of the contract, the details of the arrangements being reserved for settlement between the company and the Government. The Government have not attached to that communication the condition that there shall be a sliding scale of payments, depending upon the rapidity or slowness of the vessels.