§ SIR EDWARD WATKIN (Hythe)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether, as the Imperial fortress in the Mid-Atlantic, Bermuda, remains still without cable communication with the rest of Her Majesty's Dominions, he has considered that, in case of unexpected war, the Governor of Bermuda would be without information of a sudden attack; and, whether, considering that the cost of a cable between Bermuda and Halifax would be comparatively trifling, and might be recouped by the commercial messages of traders and others having business with the Island, he will take the necessary steps to lay the cable?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES) (Cambridge University)(who replied) said: I invited, and on the 30th of April received, tenders for the laying, working, and maintenance of a cable between Halifax and Bermuda. These tenders are now under the consideration of the Government.
§ SIR EDWARD WATKINThis is a great question of national defence. Could not the work be pushed on in a businesslike way?
§ MR. RAIKESThe work will be pushed on when the Government has approved of the tender.