§ MR. GOURLEY (for Mr. RATHBONE)asked the Postmaster General, Whether, as in the case of other subsidised lines, notice will be given to the Peninsular and Oriental, and the Royal Mail Steamship Companies to terminate the present contracts as soon as they legally can be terminated; and, whether assurance can be given that ample notice and opportunity will be given to enable all in a position to tender for the services now performed by those Companies to do so?
§ LORD JOHN MANNERS,in reply, said, it was usual in all cases before the time arrived when large mail contracts expired to give notice and invite tenders. That course would be adopted in the present case, and ample time would be afforded to all parties not only for sending in tenders, but for their consideration by the Government when they were sent in.