HC Deb 18 May 1897 vol 49 cc730-1
MR. HAVELOCK WILSON (Middlesbrough)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether the contract has been signed between the Government and the directors of the Peninsular and Oriental Steamship Company for the carriage of mails to and from India and Australia; and, if so, for what period; and whether the Government are seeing to it that the said Peninsular and Oriental Company complies with the law as set forth in Section 210 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894?

MR. HANBURY

The Postmaster General has not yet signed the new contract with the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company for the carriage of mails to and from India and Australia. The contract will be for seven years. The last part of the hon. Member's Question should be addressed to the President of the Board of Trade.