§ MR. GOSCHENasked the Postmaster General, What have been the number and the amount of the penalties incurred by the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company for late arrivals since the year 1874, when the present contract commenced, under the absolute penalty system now in force; and, what would have been the number and amount of the premiums which the Company would have been entitled to for early arrivals of Mails during the same period if the Clause admitting such premiums, calculated as usual at half the amount only of the penalties in each case, had not been struck out by the Postmaster General when the last contract was renewed?
§ LORD JOHN MANNERSSince the present contract with the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company commenced, in 1874, there have been 117 voyages on which penalties were incurred, amounting to £32,300. Had premiums, calculated at half the amount of penalties in each case been stipulated for in the contract, there would have been earned by the Company on 644 voyages, during the same period, the sum of £92,400.