§ MR. WEDGWOOD (Newcastle-under-Lyme)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether an extra total payment of £35,000 is to be made by the British Treasury to some steamship company in order to facilitate communication between the various West Indian Islands; and, if so, what compensating benefits accrue therefrom to the British taxpayer.
§ MR. RUNCIMANAn increased payment of £3,750 a year for ten years is payable to the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company by the British Exchequer in respect of an improved Inter-Colonial Mail Service in the West Indies under a contract dated 29th August last. Full particulars will be found in House of Commons Paper No. 24 of 1908 recently circulated.
§ MR. HAROLD COX (Preston)When is it proposed to take the Motion approving this contract?
§ MR. RUNCIMANAt the earliest possible moment so that there may be no interruption of the service.
§ MR. WEDGWOODCan the hon. Gentleman answer the last part of my question?
§ MR. LEIF JONES (Westmoreland, Appleby)What will happen if the contract meets with the disapproval of the House of Commons?
§ MR. RUNCIMANIf the House disapproves the arrangement will fall through. As to the last part of the question that is largely a matter of opinion, and the benefits could only be stated at considerable length. No doubt my hon. friend will have an opportunity of hearing them.