§ SIR EDWARD SASSOON (Hythe)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether, in view of the importance of the projected Cape-Australian cable as con- 1157 stituting a link in the All-British system, he would lay upon the Table of the House a copy of the agreement with the contracting company; and whether permission has been granted for landing rights on each and all of the intervening mid-ocean stations, and what terms and conditions have been attached thereto in the protection of the public interests.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINNo formal agreement has been signed between His Majesty's Government and the Eastern and Eastern Extension Cable Companies in regard to the Cape-Australian cable, but I have informed the company that landing rights at Mauritius, Rodriguez, and Cocos Islands will be granted on condition that the sliding scale rates in regard to the traffic between England and South Africa are extended to these places. It is intended that the landing licences shall contain the same conditions and stipulations in favour of the Government and the public as the licence about to be issued by the Board of Trade to the same Company for the new cable from Madeira to Porth Curnow.