MR. HEADLAMasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether it is true that there is still a large outstanding claim against the Government in respect 1218 of the purchase of telegraphs; and, if so, whether he can state approximately the amount of such claims, and whether it was fully considered in the calculation of what has been paid?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERI have, Sir, made inquiries of the Postmaster General, and I may state that the process of arbitration to ascertain the amount of money to be paid by the Government to railway companies is not yet completed. There is, therefore, a claim not yet ascertained, and consequently not yet paid; the claims, indeed, in some cases not having been at present sent in. I presume my hon. Friend alludes to a statement that in purchasing the telegraphs the Government dealt only with the telegraph companies, and overlooked the fact that after a time their interests reverted to the railway companies. I am informed that there is not the slightest ground for that statement, nothing of the kind having been overlooked.