§ SIR EDMUND LECHMERE (Worcestershire, Bewdley)asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether Her Majesty's Government have taken into consideration the expediency of renewing the mail service with the Island of Cyprus, which was interrupted in December, 1884; and whether Her Majesty's Government will also consider the expediency of capitalizing the annual rent (£92,800) paid to the Sultan?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir HENRY HOLLAND) (Hampstead)The subject of re-establishing weekly mail communication between Cyprus and England is under consideration; but it is not proposed to renew the service on the same footing as that referred to in the Question. With reference to the second part of this Question, I have to 1560 state that Her Majesty's Government have had under their careful consideration proposals for lightening the burden of the tribute of £92,800; but the subject is surrounded with considerable difficulties, which at present Her Majesty's Government have not been able to overcome.