§ MR. J. HOLMSasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, If he has obtained or will obtain information as to whether the new Postal Contract between the Government of Victoria and the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Company will or will not be carried out, should the new Postal Contract between Her Majesty's Government and the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Company not receive the sanction of Parliament?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHSir, I have not obtained any information on this subject. I would consider if I could properly ask for it, if the hon. Member could suggest to me any reason on which I could base the request. But if I rightly understand the Question, it seems to me that I should hardly be justified in asking the parties to this contract, with which we have nothing to do, to inform me what, in their opinion, their legal position might be with regard to it in a contingency which I trust may not arise.