HC Deb 11 February 1897 vol 46 cc158-9
SIR JOHN LENG (Dundee)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether the contract for the conveyance of the mails to India, China, and Australia has now been arranged; and, if so, what rates of speed have been fixed, and what saving in time will be effected to Bombay, Hong Kong, and Melbourne?

THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. R. W. HANBURY,) Preston

The tenders which have been accepted contemplate a speed of 14½ knots on the line to and from India, 131 knots on the line to and from China, and 1¼ knots on the line to and from Australia. The time-table has not yet been settled, but it is anticipated that under the now con-tract, as compared with the old, the following will be the approximate saving in the time of transit of the mails from London: to Bombay, nearly two days; to Hong Kong, four days; to Melbourne, four days.