§ MR. LONSDALEI beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he is able to communicate to the House the terms of the new mail contract with Australia; and whether the arrangement comprises an all-British service.
§ THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. SYDNEY BUXTON,) Tower Hamlets, PoplarNo new contract has yet been concluded by His Majesty's Government for the fortnightly mail services which it provides to and from Australia. A service is provided in the alternate weeks by the Australian Government; but I have no information as to any arrangements which that Government may have made for carrying on the service after the termination in January, 1908, of its existing contract with the Orient Steam Navigation Company.