§ MR. WHALLEYasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether any action has been taken or is 1491 contemplated towards providing telegraphic communication with South Africa; and, whether there is any objection to lay befor the House any Correspondence with the Colonies on that subject?
§ MR. J. LOWTHERContracts were entered into two or three years ago with a view to establishing telegraphic communication with South Africa. The contractors, however, were unable to carry out their undertaking, and Her Majesty's Government have been advised that considerably larger subsidies would be necessary to secure an adequate service. As regards correspondence on the subject, I find that there is very little that could be produced beyond that relating to the abortive contract I have alluded to, and the hon. Gentleman will agree with me that it is undesirable to present Papers which would fail to throw light upon the present state of the affair. It is, however, probable that the question will shortly be again discussed with the Colonial Governments concerned.