§ MR. H. C. RICHARDS (Finsbury, E.)To ask the Postmaster-General if he is about to renew the contract with the Peninsular and Oriental Steamship Company for another three years; and, if to, whether he will consider the Report and recommendations of the Committee appointed by this House as to mail steamship and other subsidies; and when he will afford to the House an opportunity of discussing the terms of the-proposed extended contract and of cancelling or amending the same.
(Answered by Lord Stanley.)I have arranged with the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company for a 429 renewal of their contract for three years on terms given in my reply to a Question asked in this House on the 17th inst., to which I beg leave to refer the hon. Member.† The opinions given by the Committee on Steamship Subsidies, who expressly refrained from recommendations, have, of course, come under my notice; but the present question is merely one of extending an existing arrangement in all its details save speed and subsidy. Any variation of terms arising out of the opinions expressed by the Select Committee will fall to be dealt with under whatever contract may be made on the basis of tenders for which invitations are to be issued. An opportunity for discussion of the short extension now arranged will occur on Post Office Estimates.