§ SIR JOHN COLOMBTo ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can state whether the sea route of the Pacific Cable was that recommended by Lord Selborne's Committee, and if not, to what extent and why was it varied; and whether there is any proposal under consideration for linking the cable with the American cables at Honolulu.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Chamberlain.) The sea route of the Pacific Cable is that recommended by Lord Selborne's Committee. That Committee left open the choice between Panning and Palmyra Islands for the mid-Pacific landing place, but Fanning Island was found on further investigation to be the preferable station. The question of a connection with the United States Cable at Hono lulu has been raised, but no action has yet been taken in that direction.
§ SIR JOHN COLOMBTo ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state if the capital outlay in connection with the Pacific Cable includes the cost of special surveys made by the Royal Navy.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Chamberlain.) The cost of special surveys is not included. The soundings made by the surveying ships of the Royal Navy on the route of the Pacific Cable, though of great value, were incidental to and made in the course of their ordinary operations. The special detailed survey required for the determination of the exact route to be followed by the cable was carried out, not by the Royal Navy but by the contractors for the construction and laying of the cable.