§ GENERAL LAURIE (Pembroke and Haverfordwest)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether 10 the conditions of the contract which has been entered into with Messrs. Peterson, Tate, and Company for the Canadian fast Atlantic service are in all respects the same as those set forth in the advertisements inviting tenders, and in reply to which advertisements, tenders at higher figures than were afterwards accepted by Messrs. Peterson were submitted; or whether there is any alteration in the conditions that will explain the lower subsidy accepted by Messrs. Peterson; and What ports have been definitely decided on and named both as ports of call on each side of the Atlantic?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.The conditions of the contract are the same as those set forth in the advertisement for tenders, except that in some particulars they are more onerous for the contractors. The steamers will start from Liverpool and run in summer to Quebec and to Montreal, when the navigation permits; in winter they will run to Halifax, Nova Scotia, or St. John, New Brunswick, at the option of the contractors, such option to be declared before May 31, 1899, the date fixed for the commencement of the service. Her Majesty's Government have stipulated that the vessels are to call at an Irish port if required, and that condition has been accepted by the contractors.
§ GENERAL LAURIEasked whether the Irish port referred to in the answer of the right hon. Gentleman had been defined?
§ MR. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir.