§ MR. J. HOLMSasked the Postmaster General, In what proportion the annual loss, which has amounted to over£ 200,000 a-year upon the postal contract with the Peninsular and Oriental Company, has been shared between India and England respectively whether any estimate has been made of the loss likely to result from the proposed new postal contract with the Company, and in what proportion this loss is to be shared between India and England; and, when this new contract will be submitted for the consideration of the House?
§ LORD JOHN MANNERSIn addition to the loss incurred by the Mother Country upon the Peninsular and Oriental Company's contract, estimated at over £ 200,000 a-year, the Government of India have had to bear a charge which has amounted to about £ 76,500 a-year on the average between 1868 and 1876. No estimate has been prepared of the loss likely to result from the proposed new postal contract with the Company but it has been suggested that India should bear 23.84 per cent of the total' cost to be incurred under that contract. should wish to name a day when the contract will be brought under the notice of the House; but in the present state of Public Business cannot do so. The Secretary to the Treasury will take the earliest opportunity of naming a day available for the purpose.