§ MR. HICKS BEACHI beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Colonial Office has at any time suggested to any of the missionary societies that a minister of religion should be sent to the Island of Tristan da Cunha; whether a clergyman has recently gone there; and whether any request for a mail to be sent there has been received from any of the inhabitants of the island.
§ MR. CHURCHILLThe Society for the Propagation of the Gospel has been approached in the matter, but the clergyman who is now resident on the island, the Reverend J. G. Barrow, offered his services independently. Letters have been received from the inhabitants indicating the possibility of a shortage of provisions and expressing hopes that a ship may be sent to the island. The question of arranging for an early visit to the island is engaging the attention of the Admiralty and the Colonial Office.