MR. LAWRENCE (Liverpool, Abercrombie)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will say what number of tenders have been received for the proposed lines of fruit steamers between the West Indies and Home ports; and whether there is reason to expect the steamers to be running on or before the 1st August next from Jamaica or any other islands?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.I have to say, on behalf of my right honourable Friend the Secretary for the Colonies, that the negotiations for the proposed fruit service from Jamaica to England are still proceeding, and it is impossible at present to name any date at which any such service is likely to begin.