§ SIR JOHN LENGI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, what number of tenders were received for the Indo-China and Australian mail contracts; whether they were all from British companies; and whether both with regard to speed and rates of subsidy, the tender of the Peninsular and Oriental 1439 Shipping Company was in all respects the most advantageous?
THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. R. W. HANIBUKY,) PrestonTenders for the Indo - China and Australian mail services, or for portions of them, were received from four companies. All the tenders received were from British companies. The only opportunity of obtaining a complete service to and from the whole of the British Possessions concerned was to accept offers of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company. When the contracts with these companies are signed they will he laid before the House for confirmation, and will be accompanied by a Treasury Minute giving full particulars of all the tenders received.