HC Deb 25 January 1897 vol 45 cc404-5
MR. HENNIKER HEATON (Canterbury)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether contracts for the conveyance of the Australian and Indian mails have been concluded; and, if so, when will they be laid upon the Table of the House; and whether the protests and requirements of the Australasian Governments on the subject will be laid upon the Table before Parliament is asked to confirm the contracts?

MR. HANBURY

Although the Postmaster General has recently, with the concurrence of India and the Colonies, accepted tenders for the conveyance of Indian and Australian mails, the contracts are not yet drawn. They will be laid upon the Table of the House as soon after signature as possible; but the correspondence on the subject is not of such a nature that the Government would think it necessary to lay it on the Table of the House.

MR. HENNIKER HEATON

asked if the right hon. Gentleman was aware that the Australian Governments had published the contracts?

MR. HANBURY

I am not aware.