§ MR. STANLEY LEIGHTON (Shropshire, Oswestry)asked the Postmaster General, Whether it is true that the regular postal service to Cyprus is conducted by the Austrian Lloyd and the French Messageries Maritimes; and, whether he will consider the expediency of re-establishing an English service, such as existed during the first five years of the British occupation?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES) (Cambridge University)The Cyprus mails are at present carried by the special Indian mail service overland as far as Brindisi, thence by packets of the Peninsular and Oriental Company to Alexandria or Port Said, and onward from Egypt by Austrian or French steamers, as opportunities offer. There was, undoubtedly, a heavy loss on the mail service between this country and Cyprus while it was maintained by the Government; but I shall be glad to consider any new circumstances which may have arisen since the termination of that arrangement, and which my hon. Friend may like to bring to my notice.