§ MR. HOPWOODasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether it is the intention of the Government to invite tenders for a Contract or Contracts to carry the Mails on the termination of that now existing with the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Shipping Company; if so, when it is probable that advertisements will be issued for the purpose?
§ SIR HENRY SELWIN-IBBETSON, in reply, said, tenders would be invited on the termination, on January 1, 1880 of the existing contract. A Correspondence was now going on between the Home and Indian Governments as to the terms on which those tenders should be invited, and as soon as that Correspondence was completed the terms would be made known.