§ SIR JOHN PAKINGTONSir, I wish to put a question to the right hon. Baronet the First Lord of the Admiralty with regard to the circumstances under which the Australian steam packet has returned to Plymouth; but as my question will not be confined to the case of the Australian steam packet, and as this subject immediately concerns the interest and safety of the public, I hope I may be allowed to offer a few words in explanation with regard to what the scope of my question will be. The right hon. Baronet will recollect that within the last few months three steam packets belonging to the Australian Royal Mail Steam Company sailed from this country—the Melbourne, in October, the Adelaide, in December, and lately the Australian. The Melbourne was dismasted and driven into Lisbon, and the passengers were compelled to return at a great loss. The Adelaide having put to sea, was disabled within a few hours; her rudder would not work, and she was driven back to Plymouth under circumstances that detained her for nearly a month. The other day the Australian the third vessel in succession of the same company, left England, but came back under circumstances which made it providential that the ship was not lost, with all hands on board. I wish therefore to ask the right hon. Baronet what degree of control or authority the Government have over the Australian Steam Packet Company by virtue of their contract to convey the Australian mails, and whether it is the intention of the Government to take any step in consequence of the extraordinary circumstances that have occurred?
§ SIR JAMES GRAHAMI am not at all surprised, Sir, that the right hon. Gentleman should have drawn the attention of the Government and the House to the circumstances he has just mentioned; and I 204 am sorry to say that the service performed under the Australian Steam Packet Company's contract is most unsatisfactory. The Government have power, under the contract, to exact a penalty for its nonperformance, and both the present and late Board of Admiralty have not hesitated, where the equity of the case justified the exaction, to do so. The present Board of Admiralty have communicated with the Australian Steam Packet Company, in reference to the non-performance of the contract, and the contract itself has been submitted to a Committee of the Government, over which the Postmaster General presides, and we are waiting for their Report to consider what further steps shall be taken. As soon as that Report is made, I will state to the right hon. Baronet and the House what is the course the Government will take.