§ SIR EDWARD WATKIN (Hythe)asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether the Treasury still object to connect the great fortresses, torpedo 469 station, and military and naval establishments of Bermuda with the fortress of Halifax, Nova Scotia, by a submarine cable; whether he has considered that, as the distance is only 750 miles, the expense would be small, and that the annual interest on outlay, if the capital be raised in 99 years Terminable Aunuities at 3¼ cent would be only £3,500, against which receipts for commercial messages would accrue; whether the Governor of Bermuda has long urged the necessity of laying such a cable; whether the War Office and the Admiralty do not entirely concur with the Governor; and, if he could state for what reasons the Government decline to have the cable laid?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) () Strand, WestminsterThe Treasury do not object to connect by submarine cable the places named in the Question of the hon. Baronet. Tenders were invited last year for laying and maintaining a cable; but none of the tenders were accepted, the cost and conditions not being considered satisfactory. The cost would be largely in excess of the amount named in the Question; and the Treasury would not favourably entertain capital being raised on 99 years' Annuities for such a purpose as submarine cables. The War Office and Admiralty think it would be desirable to have some communication with Bermuda.