§ MR. COGHILL (Stoke-on-Trent)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether his attention has been called to the frequent breakdown of the steamers carrying the mails from this country to 466 the Cape; whether any penalties are incurred for delay in delivering the mails; and whether these penalties are in all cases exacted.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN,) Worcestershire, ESince the mishap to the machinery of the "Norham Castle" in March 1901, referred to in the answer to a question asked in Parliament on the 3rd of May, the Postmaster General's attention has been called to but one breakdown of a Mail Packet to the Cape, viz., the "Dunottar Castle," which met with an accident to her machinery in November last. Penalties are incurred for delays within the control of the Contractors, and are duly inflicted by the Cape Government, who are responsible for carrying on the contract service. Accidents to machinery are generally beyond the control of the Contractors.