§ CAPTAIN COLOMB (Tower Hamlets, Bow, &c.,)asked the Postmaster General, Whether the detailed proposals for the service to China and Japan offered by the Canadian Pacific Railway Company were laid before the Chamber of Commerce of Hong Kong; and, if so, by whom, and on what date; and, whether such proposals were also laid before the Chambers of Commerce of London and Manchester; and, if so, by whom, and on what date?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES) (Cambridge University)The whole of tie tenders and the correspondence relating to them were sent from the Colonial Office to the Governor of Hong Kong, and by him submitted to the Chamber of Commerce for consideration. The Chamber reported their opinion to the Colonial Government on the 24th of June, 1886, to the effect that the proposed Canadian route would be practically useless. On the second point my answer is in the negative. It is not customary to lay tenders for Postal Services before Chambers of Commerce in this country, and it was not done in this case.