§ MR. HOPWOODasked the Postmaster General, Whether the Department was in a position, on the 1st of February, to give notice to terminate the Mail Contracts with the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Shipping Company; whether such notice has been given; and, whether notices inviting tenders are likely to be issued, and when?
§ LORD JOHN MANNERS,in reply, said, that, in December last, the notice to which the hon. and learned Gentleman referred was given to the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Shipping Company to terminate the contract in February, 1880, and the question of calling for fresh tenders was now under the consideration of Her Majesty's Government.