Mr. Fresh-fieldasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, since the commencement of the present session, any Government agent had been employed to make arrangements at Dartmouth, with a view to the conduct I of the West India mail service in that port, and whether it was intended that the expense consequent upon the adaptation of that port to the service in question, or to be incurred in the conduct of the service, should be borne by the Royal Mail Steam Company or by the public?
§ The Chancellor of the Exchequerreplied, that on the 15th of January a Treasury minute had been passed deciding the point which had been so long pending, and the authorities of the Post-office had been directed to state what measures would be necessary to carry that decision into effect. On the 4th of February the Post-office recommended that an officer should be sent down into Cornwall to make the necessary inquiries. On the 5th their recommendation was approved of by the Treasury, and an officer was sent down accordingly. As to the payment, that part of the expense which was defrayed by the Government at Falmouth would be defrayed in future by the Government at Dartmouth.