HC Deb 14 February 1902 vol 103 cc46-7
MR. CALDWELL

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, if he can state the amount paid for the year ending 31st December last, in respect of the conveyance between this country and Canada of the mails which joined the Canadian Pacific route in the terms of the mail contract which received the assent of the House of Commons on 16th August, 1889.

MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

The payment made for the conveyance by Canadian Packet across the Atlantic of mails intended for onward transmission from Vancouver by the Canadian Pacific Service is about £500 a year.

M. CALDWELL

And the charge from Halifax to the destination is £45,000 a year?

MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

That is the subsidy in respect of which the Service is run.

MR. O'MARA

How many letters are carried by this route?

MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

I cannot say.