§ MR. VESEY KNOX (Londonderry)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the provisional contract made with Messrs. Peterson, Tait and Company for the Canadian Mail Service contains the same provision as that previously entered into with Messrs. Allan, by which the Canadian Government might require the ships to stop at an Irish port of call; and whether, having regard to the long established custom under which the Canadian mail steamers call at the port of Derry, and to the close connection and large passenger service between Ulster and Canada, he will endeavour to secure, before assenting to a grant in aid out of British, and Irish revenue, that the new steamers shall call at Lough Foyle, provided the improvements necessary for the prompt dispatch of the mails are made by the postal authorities and railway companies?
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINThe Question of the contract for the Canadian 1529 Mail Service is still under consideration; but Her Majesty's Government have stipulated that, if required, the vessels performing the Service should call both ways en route al an Irish port.