§ MR. BAXTERasked the Postmaster General, If he is aware of the increasing dissatisfaction existing in consequence of the continued transmission of mails to North America by slow steamers; and, if he will take measures to introduce, on the part of the British Post Office, the system on which the United States Government have so long acted, of sending the mails by the fastest boats only, without reference to the Company to which they belong, and without being hampered by unnecessary contracts?
§ MR. SHAW LEFEVREThe question raised by my right hon. Friend is an extremely important and difficult one. My lamented Predecessor, Mr. Fawcett, gave great attention to it, and was very desirous of effecting the change aimed at by my right hon. Friend. With this view he gave Notice, more than a year ago, to terminate the contracts with the three Companies who now carry the mails. He found, however, very great difficulty in substituting any other arrangement, and he was finally Compelled to renew the contracts for another year. In the very last communication I received from Mr. Fawcett after the commencement of his illness, when I was acting as his Deputy, he told me that it was his intention to recommend that a Committee of this House should investigate the subject. I think, therefore, I cannot do better than adopt this course myself; and if the right hon. Gentleman will move for a Committee the Government will assent to it.