§ MR. SUMMERS (Huddersfield)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, with a view of improving and cheapening communication between the different parts of the British Empire, the Government will consider the advisability of buying the cables of the Eastern Telegraph Companies, or of laying new cables to compete with those already in existence?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSCHEN,) St. George's, Hanover SquareI have been asked, by my right hon. Friend to reply to this question. Her Majesty's Government are not prepared to enter upon the wide question, involving as it would international negotiations, of buying up the cables of the Eastern Telegraph Companies, nor is it certain that their acquisition by the Government would lead to the desired results. But the Government would be glad if the labours of the International Telegraph Conference now sitting at Paris should have some result in the direction indicated in the question of the hon. Member.