HC Deb 09 August 1878 vol 242 cc1637-8
MR. ANDERSON

asked the Postmaster General, If, seeing the West India Mail Contract does not come into operation till 1880 and it cannot now lie upon the Table for the stipulated period in this Session, he will postpone moving its ratification till the beginning of next Session, so as to give the House a sufficient opportunity of considering it?

LORD JOHN MANNERS,

in reply, said, the Question was based upon a misapprehension. Under the Regulations of the House, it was required that every contract extending over a period of years for the conveyance of mails by steamers should be submitted to the House and be approved by Resolution of the House, and it was the intention of the Secretary to the Treasury to move early next week that the contract for the West India Mails should be sanctioned by the House.