§ SIR EDWARD SASSOON (Hythe)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state to the House, in connection with the Canadian Pacific Cable, how much of the material has already been manufactured and delivered, what instalments have been paid, and whether, in view of the provision for the completion of the work by the end of 1902, satisfactory progress has been made towards the fulfilment of the contract.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINNone of the cable has yet been manu- 437 factured or delivered, but several cable houses have been sent out, and are being erected at the several landing places selected. The surveying ship has already sounded the route over a distance of 1,500 miles, and is now engaged on the same work between Norfolk Island and Fiji. The landing places of the cable in Queensland, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, and Vancouver have been decided upon, and preliminary arrangements made for the construction of staff quarters and station buildings. I am informed that the manufacture of the cable begins this week. One instalment of £287,463, due under the contract on the 31st March last, has been paid to the contractors. I am informed that the engineers of the Pacific Cable Board are satisfied with the progress made, and with the ability of the contractors to complete the work by the end of 1902.
§ [A supplementary question and answer were both inaudible.]