§ MR. GOURLEYasked the Postmaster General, If it be correct that the contract for the conveyance of the Cape of Good Hope Mails, dated 19th December 1872, with the Union Steam Shipping Company has been cancelled; if so, if he will state upon what terms; whether it be his intention to submit the future conveyance of the Mails to public competition, or enter into a private contract with the owners of one or both the existing steam lines; and, if he will consent to place upon the Table of the House all correspondence between the Post Office, the Cape Government, and owners of vessels now carrying the Mails?
§ LORD JOHN MANNERS,in reply, said, that the contract entered into by the Post Office with the Union Company 1174 in 1872 was not submitted to the House by the Government of the day; but probably what the hon. Gentleman referred to was the contract of 1868, for the conveyance of the Cape Mails, and which terminated at the close of last month, the usual 12 months notice having been given. The Home Government did not intend to enter into any new contract, the South African colonies having been left to make their own arrangements for the future conveyance of the Mails. He had no objection to produce the correspondence with the Union Steam Shipping Company; but as the Correspondence with the Cape Government had passed through the Colonial Office, he must consult the Under Secretary for the Colonies as to what portion, if any, of that Correspondence could be laid on the Table.