CAPTAIN COLOMB&c.) (Tower Hamlet's Bow,asked the Postmaster General Whether any provisions have been introduced into the now 10 years' contract with the Peninsular and Oriental Company, binding the Company to carry the East Indian and China mails viâ the Cape in the event of war interfering with the serviceviâthe Suez Canal?
§ SIR HERBERT MAXWELL (A LORD of the TREASURY) (Wigton)(who replied) said: A provision even more comprehensive has been introduced. If my hon. and gallant Friend will refer to the Treasury Minute, dated March 21, 1887, appended to the contract itself, which has been laid on the Table of the House, he will find the following passage:—
In the event of war or disturbance on the Continent of Europe, the contractors will so arrange the mail service as to meet the exigencies of the situation.