§ MR. AYRTONsaid, he would beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether he will lay on the Table any Correspondence, with respect to the purchase of the Electric Telegraphs, which has taken place between the Government and the several Companies?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERstated, in reply, that Papers relating to the communications between the Government and the Electric Telegraph Companies in reference to the proposed purchase of the Electric Telegraphs by the Government would be laid upon the table before the Bill was proceeded with, and the second reading of the Bill would be deferred for a sufficient period to allow the House time to consider it.