§ MR. ROSSI beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that the measurements of the shortest route between New York and Liverpool, viâ Moville, and between 310 New York and Greenock, viâ, Moville' as given by the Admiralty, differ most materially from the measurement of the Atlantic Shipping Companies; and whether, in view of ascertaining the shortest route for the conveyance of American mails, he will direct some further investigation to be made?
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHThe distances across the Atlantic given by the Admiralty to the Postmaster General, with reference to the questions which he answered on the 6th of April and the 24th of May, were the shortest navigable distances without regard to seasons or ice. The Admiralty are not aware what the distances as given by the Atlantic Shipping Companies may be; they may differ from Admiralty distances, because a less direct route must at some periods of the year be followed owing to the presence of ice. To attempt to force ships to take a definite fixed route, in order to save a few miles, might result in disaster. All that the Admiralty can offer to do is (if desired) to check the measurement of any route given by a Mail Company.
§ MR. ROSSHas the Postmaster General had his attention called to a pamphlet, written by the hon. Member for Dundee, dealing with the subject?
§ MR. A. MORLEYYes.