§ MR. J. HOLMSasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether Her Majesty's Government are cognizant of the terms of the arrangement or contract made between Mr. Graham Berry, Prime 690 Minister of Victoria, and the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, for a Mail service viâ Galle or Colombo to Melbourne; whether that arrangement or contract is conditional on the ratification by the House of Commons of the East India and China Contract; and, whether any Correspondence has passed between the Government and Mr. Berry on the subject; and, if so, whether the Government will place a Copy of such Contract and Correspondence upon the Table of the House?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHSir, the Contract between the Government of Victoria and the Peninsular and Oriental Company was not communicated to us by the Government of Victoria; but I have obtained a copy of it. The conditions of that Contract are a matter for the parties to it, and I must decline to express an opinion as to the circumstances under which it might or might not be binding. But I have no objection to lay a copy of the Contract on the Table, with the Correspondence between the Colonial Office and Mr. Berry on the subject.