§ MR. HOGANI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the dilatory proceedings of the Pacific Cable Board have occasioned considerable disappointment and dissatisfaction in the colonies concerned; and whether he can state the position in which this important Imperial undertaking now stands.
§ MR J. CHAMBERLAINThe Pacific Cable Committee have held two meetings, 282 and are making inquiries with a view to the settlement of a definite scheme. These inquiries, relating as they do to technical questions, necessarily take time, but I have no doubt that there will be no avoidable delay.