§ MR. WEBSTER (St. Pancras, E.)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a decision has been arrived at in the matter of the Pacific cable scheme; and whether Her Majesty's Government have decided to contribute, in the form of a yearly subsidy, the full amount which they have been recommended, under the report of the Pacific Cable Committee of 1896, to guarantee for the construction of an all-British cable running from Vancouver by Fanning Island to Norfolk Island whence it will branch to Queensland and. New Zealand, and, if so, whether he can give the House any further information, on this subject?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERA decision on this matter has been arrived at. Papers will be at once laid on the table explaining the terms on which Her Majesty's Government have offered to contribute to the cost of the scheme.