§ MR. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether, as the mails for the Straits Settlements, now sent fortnightly by French Packet, are frequently delayed in their arrival till after the departure of the Home Mails, it would be possible to send the outgoing alternate mails, now transmitted by the French Packet Service, by Bombay and Negapatam, as the Home going mails are now fortnightly sent?
§ *THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES,) University of CambridgeThe French Packets conveying mails fortnightly from this country to Singapore are timed during part of the year to arrive at that place about five days in advance of the departure of the mails sent home by the same line of steamers, and I have no official information of the delays referred to by my hon. Friend. But I will make a point of inquiring of the Singapore Post Office whether inconvenience does not arise from the present Postal arrangements with the colony, and whether the remedy which my hon. Friend suggests could, with advantage, be adopted.