§ MR. CRAWFORDsaid, he would beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any arrangements have been concluded, or are now under the considera- 984 tion of Her Majesty's Government, for extending the Mediterranean System of Telegraphs to Alexandria, and for bringing India into Telegraphic Communication with this Country by the way of the Red Sea, or by any other route; and whether, in the event of such arrangements having been resolved upon, Her Majesty's Government will lay upon the Table of the House the correspondence in reference thereto. He might, perhaps, be permitted to state, in explanation of the question, that a similar question was addressed to the noble Lord lately at the head of the Government, at the commencement of the Session, to which he replied that Government had been in communication with parties in reference to the extension of the telegraphic communication between Corfu and Alexandria, but that no arrangements had been entered into on the subject, and that no proposals had been made to the Government with regard to the extension of the telegraphic communication with India.
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERNo arrangements, Sir, have yet been made to effect the objects to which the hon. Gentleman refers, but I have hopes that in a very short time arrangements embracing all those objects will be concluded.
MR. WILSONsaid, that he had a notice on the paper for certain Returns relating to this subject, but, as the negotiations were 3till pending, he was ready to postpone his Motion, if such was the wish of the right hon. Gentleman.
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERIt will be more convenient if no papers are moved for until all the arrangements are completed.
§ MR. CRAWFORDsaid, he would beg to inquire whether the right hon. Gentleman would lay upon the table the correspondence on this subject, and also an estimate of the expense of establishing the proposed communication?
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERUntil the arrangements are completed I cannot pledge myself to produce the papers, but in all probability there will be no objection to lay them on the table. As, however, I cannot foresee what communications may take place, I cannot at present give any pledge that they will be laid before Parliament, neither can I submit to the House any estimate of the expenditure until the nature of the engagements into which it may be necessary for the Government to enter, is fully known.
§ MR. WYLDsaid, he wished to know whether any arrangements were pending with the Austrian Government on this subject?
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERAlthough, Sir, I think it advisable that the rule of the House which requires that hon. Members should give notice of their questions, should be adhered to, I feel no difficulty in answering the inquiry of the hon. Gentleman. Arrangements on this subject are at present in progress between the Austrian Government and that of Her Majesty, but I may be permitted to say that a portion of those arrangements as originally planned, which would have given a monopoly to the Austrian Government, does not form part of the negotiation now pending.
§ MR. CRAWFORDsaid, he would give notice that on that day fortnight he should call attention to the subject of telegraphic communication with India, and would submit a Motion to the House.