HC Deb 19 March 1883 vol 277 c784
MR. A. M'ARTHUR

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether, in view of possible interruption of the mails between England and Madagascar, the Government intend to take any steps, by stationing a despatch boat at Tamatave, or otherwise, to keep open communications between the British Consul in Madagascar and this Country?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

Sir, Her Majesty's sloop Dryad left Zanzibar on February 25 for Tamatave. There is no English mail service to Madagascar, letters being sent by French packets, which usually run about once a month. There seems no reason to suppose that this mail communication will be interrupted.