§ SIR EDWARD SASSOON (Hythe)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the establishment of the Cape-Australia cable, he has in consideration the desirability of a spur line from Cocos to Ceylon in association with the Imperial Government as a practically all-British route from the United Kingdom to India.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Lord G. HAMILTON,) Middlesex, EalingAn inter-departmental Committee is now sitting to consider and report upon the question of cable communication generally. I have reason to believe that their attention has been called to the matter to which my hon. friend's question refers, and I await the receipt of their report.
§ SIR EDWARD SASSOONWill the noble Lord make special inquiry on this point?
§ LORD G. HAMILTONThe Committee was specially appointed. I rather fear that if I made further inquiry it would delay the object which my hon. friend has in view.