§ MR. WEDGWOOD (Newcastle-under Lyme)I beg to ask the Postmaster-General what sums have been paid for the carriage of mails to and from the West Coast of Africa during each of the last three years; and what average rate this represents per pound carried.
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONThe sums paid for mails sent in both directions were as follows:—
| Year. | £. |
| 1904–5 | 17,499 |
| 1905–6 | 17,660 |
| 1906–7 | 18,160 |
§ These amounts include payment for foreign and inter-colonial mails. The materials available do not admit of a statement of the rate of payment per pound except in the case of correspondence despatched from this country, for which the rate is estimated to be 6½d. per pound.
§ MR. WEDGWOODI beg to ask the Postmaster-General what shipping companies received payments for carrying mails to the West Coast of Africa during the last completed financial year; and how much each company received.
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONThe particulars are as follows:—African Steamship Company, £7,224; British and African Steam Navigation Company (1900) Limited, £10,936. These amounts include payment for the mails in both directions.