HC Deb 11 August 1898 vol 64 cc920-1
MR. PROVAND (Glasgow, Blackfriars)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can inform the House of the present position of the negotiations relating to the proposed Pacific submarine telegraph cable from British Columbia to the Australian Colonies?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES

We have no proposals from Canada or from South Australia, Western Australia, and New Zealand. The Premiers of the remaining four Australasian Colonies have joined in a resolution that their Colonies will favourably consider the proposal for a Pacific cable, provided that Canada and the United Kingdom will each contribute one-third of the cost. Until we have formal and definite proposals from all the Governments concerned, Her Majesty's Government cannot proceed further in the matter.