§ MR. SLAGGasked the Postmaster General, Whether, as the last mail under the present extended contract leaves for Zanzibar in May, any arrangements have been made, or are in progress, for the future mail service of the West Coast of Africa?
§ MR. COURTNEYSir, this subject has been under the consideration of the Government, and they have come to the conclusion that the reasons for which the agency at Zanzibar exist warrant 1142 the continuance for a limited period of a subsidy for a monthly service between Aden and Zanzibar. Tenders will accordingly be called for immediately for this purpose, the period fixed being five years. Although the subsidy is not for postal purposes, and will not be charged to the Post Office Votes, it will probably be desirable to have the contract confirmed by a Vote of the House.
§ MR. SLAGGasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether any treaty is in course of negotiation for the cession to England of Whydah and its dependencies on the West Coast of Africa, a region including 600 miles of coast between Lon. 5 E. and 5 W?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEThe cession of the Portuguese fort at Whydah, and of the rights inherent to the sovereignty of it, have formed part of the negotiations between this country and Portugal, and were referred to in a speech made by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in "another place" on the 9th ultimo.