§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEsaid, he wished to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether any personal or written communications have taken place between the Post Office and the Admiralty, or between any Officers of the Post Office and the First Lord of the Admiralty, with reference to the employment of Admiralty Vessels for the Mail Service between Dover and Calais, or Dover and Ostend?
§ LORD CLARENCE PAGETreplied, that the only communication that had taken place on the subject within the last few weeks was a personal one. A gentleman from the Post Office had come to see his noble Friend the Duke of Somerset, and likewise himself, to ask whether, in the event of any difficulties, the Admiralty could give their assistance in carrying the mails between Dover and Calais and Dover and Ostend. The Duke of Somerset said it would be highly inconvenient to the public service that the Admiralty should be called upon to furnish any such assistance.