§ * SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the existing conditions in relation to Wei-Hai-Wei, and the bearing of the agreement of April, 1901, on United States interests, His Majesty's Government will, in virtue of the option given in the last paragraph in Clause 3 of the Submarine Cable Contract (Chee-foo and Wei-Hai-Wei), determine the specified payment at present made to. the Company for transmitting all messages on the service of His Majesty's Government over this Government-owned line.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO, THE TREASURY (Mr. A USTEN CHAMBERLAIN, Worcestershire, E.)The right hon. Baronet appears to be under some misapprehension as to the effect of exercising the power reserved to His Majesty's. Government in Clause 3 of the Agreement referred to. This provision refers, only to the working of the cable by the. Company for the account of His, Majesty's Government, and does not affect the Company's rights under its agreement with the Chinese Telegraphs Administration and Government.