MR. TANKERVILLE CHAMBER-LAYNEI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that the steamers carrying the mails between Southampton and Cape Town could make the passage in about two days less time than they do, and that they are purposely delayed so that they shall not arrive at cither place before a certain day: and also that the times for arrival and departure on both sides are so arranged that it is impossible to reply to despatches or correspondence from places at any distance from the ports till a week or more has elapsed; and, whether, having regard to the importance (especially at the present time) of expediting as much as possible the communication between Great Britain and South Africa, representations will be made to the Cape Government with a view to prevent this delay and inconvenience.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN,) Worcestershire, E.The Postmaster General is aware that some of the steamers employed in the service in question could make the voyage more quickly than they do; but the contract is for a transit time of 16 days and 20 hours in each direction, with a departure from this country on Saturday and from Cape Town on Wednesday. Hence there are no grounds on which the Postmaster General could make the representations suggested.