POST OFFICE MAIL CONTRACT (EAST COAST OF AFRICA, ZANZIBAR). (Hansard, 13 June 1890)

§ MR. T. M. HEALY
Before the House agrees to this, I think we may ask that some explanation should be given.

§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir J. FERGUSSON,) Manchester, N.E.
This matter was before the House in Committee of Supply. The contract is to provide a subsidy of £16,000 a year for steamers running to Zanzibar. The German Government have given a subsidy of £45,000 to their line of steamers, and considering the great interests of this country in that part of the world, it is very necessary that the steam service should be maintained. The origin of the service was in connection with the suppression of the slave trade, and our commercial interests in that part of the world have vastly increased. The whole matter was fully debated in Committee of Supply, and I hope the House will now sanction the contract, which is, I think, upon commercial terms. The rate of speed is not excessive, but the means of communication so necessary for our interests will be maintained.

§ MR. CONYBEARE
I do not wish to impose any formidable obstacle, but I have not seen the contract, and the right hon. Gentleman has not told us what is in it.

§ THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. JACKSON,) Leeds, N.
It has been before the House for three weeks.

§ MR. CONYBEARE
But the Motion appears for the first time to-day.

§ MR. JACKSON
No; it appeared last Friday.

§ MR. CONYBEARE
I want to ask, in the first place, whether the contract was accepted with the British India Steam Navigation Company upon open tender?

§ MR. JACKSON
Yes, Sir.

§ MR. CONYBEARE
The right hon. Gentleman tells us the rate of speed of these vessels is not great. That is an important consideration, and, unless we have some more satisfactory assurance, I shall consider it my duty to oppose the taking of this matter to-night. The right hon. Gentleman has referred to the necessity of competing with Germany in this matter of steam communication between this country and Zanzibar, but if we have a good service it is desirable that the rate of speed should be some thing better than obtains in the services in the Eastern seas. The P. and O. steamers are not required to do more than 12½ knots, and I have had experience of the slow rate in the Brindisi and Bombay service. Yet in the Indian Ocean, as is well known, there is not the stormy weather Atlantic liners have to contend against, and they can do 16 or 17 knots. Then I ask for some information as to the minimum time of steaming fixed in this contract, the length of the contract, and whether the mails will be despatched weekly, fortnightly, or monthly.

§ DR. CAMERON (Glasgow, College)
If the contract is sanctioned by this House, will it be binding on the Department, or may it afterwards be over-ridden in consequence of the decision of the Solicitor to the Treasury, as was done in a recent instance? I do not think the action of the House in sanctioning a contract ought to be over-ridden; it is reducing our proceedings to a mere farce.

§ (12.33.) DR. TANNER (Cork, Mid)
I must protest most strongly against important business of this nature being taken at so late an hour of the night. I may say I was surprised to see the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs put 948 up to speak on this question, seeing that he was recently appointed a Director of the Peninsular and Oriental Company. People who are interested in these questions should have nothing to say upon them. I bog to move, in the absence of a satisfactory explanation on the points raised, that the Debate be now adjourned.

§ (12.37.) MR. JACKSON
I am sorry to think that the hon. Member for Camborne has not had time to read the contract and the statement regarding it, issued by the Treasury some weeks ago. This Motion is not down for the first time to-day. It has been on the Paper since before the Recess, and it was down for last Friday. The minimum speed under the contract is 10 knots an hour. The hon. Member has referred to the fact that Atlantic steamers make high rates of speed, but it is not possible in hot climates to equal the speed of those vessels. Even if we could the cost would be so enormous that I do not think the House would sanction the charge in view of the small saving of time that would be effected. The hon. Member for Mid Cork has spoken of the connection of my right hon. Friend with the Peninsular and Oriental Company. But this company with which the contract is made may be considered a rival to the Peninsular and Oriental Company.

§ DR. TANNER
I merely said they were hand and glove.

§ MR. JACKSON
And my reply is that they are rivals in trade. As to the period of the contract, it was made last year, and at the time it was very difficult to decide the permanent policy of the Government with regard to speed and the frequency of the service. The contract is, therefore, made only for two years, and will expire next year. I can assure the hon. Member for the College Division of Glasgow, who has referred to an old grievance with reference to the action of the Treasury in the case of a former contract, that this, contract will be adhered to in every particular if the House gives its sanction to it.