§ MR. HENNIKER HEATONI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether Her Majesty's Government has consented to give an Imperial contribution of £75,000 towards the cost of the fast mail steamship service between Canada and the United Kingdom, making the total annual subsidy for this object £225,000; whether he can state the terms provided in the contract respecting such contribution, such as speed required, number of times per week the vessels will leave the respective ports, etc.; and when a copy of the document will be laid upon the Table?
§ MR. HANBURYHer Majesty's Government have not consented to make a contribution of £75,000 per annum towards the cost of a fast mail steamship service between this country and Canada. They have intimated to the Canadian Government their readiness, under certain conditions, to make some contribution; and they have suggested that the Canadian Government should, by calling for tenders, ascertain the approximate cost of such a service. Her Majesty's Government will then be in a better position to decide what amount of assistance they would be justified in affording.