MR. GOLDSMIDsaid, he wished to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether, in consequence of the opening of the Fell Railway over Mont Cenis, Her Majesty's Government intend to adopt the Brindisi route for the Indian Mails; and, whether they have made any application to the French Government to put an end to the twelve hours' detention in Paris of Letters posted for Italy by the Evening Mails?
§ MR. SCLATER-BOOTHsaid, in reply, that he thought it was premature at present to form an opinion as to the necessity of changing the route for the Indian Mails. The subject was fully considered by a Select Committee which sat in 1866, and, anticipating the opening of the Fell Railway, a very elaborate Report was presented to the Post Office by Captain Tyler. On the settlement of the contract with the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Company last November, it was stipulated that the Brindisi route should be adopted in preference to Marseilles if circumstances rendered the change expedient. With regard to the latter part of the hon. Member's Question, he was informed that although the detention operated inconveniently for letters from London, this was not the case with respect to provincial letters, and that the present arrangement was most conve- 1562 nient for the French service and for all parties interested.